Automatic control means providing a low-power responsive signal, particularly for initiating data preservation operation

ABSTRACT

In a system including volatile memory, a battery backed memory may be available for preserving data in the event of a power failure. Low power condition is reliably sensed sufficiently in advance of supply voltage falling below a minimum operating voltage range so as to give an adequate time interval, e.g. 2.5 milliseconds for the saving of application operating system status. By using a voltage regulator signal which switches in a particularly sensitive manner toward a saturation or zero state well outside its normal control range to trigger a low power signal, such low power signal may provide a time interval of, e.g. from three to six milliseconds of advance warning of impending supply voltage failure. The system is particularly useful for hand-held data processing systems with rechargeable batteries since the regulator may provide its regulator signal as a common control signal for regulating multiple supply paths, and may only trigger the low power signal when all of such supply paths approach a failure condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of a copending application of David C. Hacker, U.S. Ser. No. 797,235, filed Nov. 12, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,354, issued Dec. 29, 1987. The disclosure and drawings of this copending application Ser. No. 797,235 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Reference is also made to an application in the name of Steven E. Koenck U.S. Ser. No. 612,588, filed May 21, 1984, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,081 on Nov. 12, 1985, and to an application which was copending with application Ser. No. 612,588, namely Steven E. Koenck U.S. Ser. No. 385,830, filed June 7, 1982, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,523 on June 19, 1984. The disclosures and drawings of these Koenck U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,455,523 and 4,553,081 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable battery powered systems and particularly to a battery system for portable devices capable of optimizig the performance of a rechargeable electrochemical storage medium while at the same time maximizing it useful life.

Portable computerized systems are presently being extensively utilized in a wide range of applications. For example, such systems may be utilized in delivery vehicles which are to be away from a central warehouse or the like for a major part of each working day. Recharging operations may take place in locations subject to extremes of temperature. It is particularly crucial to avoid an equipment failure where a portable device is a vital link to the completion of scheduled tasks at remote locations and the like. In such circumstances a loss of adequate battery power can be just as detrimental as any other malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a basic objective of the present invention to provide a portable battery powered system of increased reliability and useful life.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a portable system wherein the user can obtain a relatively accurate indication of the battery energy remaining available for use at any time during a portable operating cycle. Further, the user can be automatically alerted when battery capacity diminishes to a selected value, or when battery output voltage is at a selected marginal level.

For the sake of recharging of a battery system as rapidly as possible without detriment to an optimum useful life span, battery parameters including battery temperature can be monitored during a charging cycle and the battery charging current can be adjusted accordingly.

Since a battery may deteriorate when subjected to repeated shallow discharge and recharging cycles, according to the present invention, a count of such shallow charge cycles may be automatically maintained throughout the operating life of the battery system, such that deep discharge cycles may be effected as necessary to maintain desired performance standards.

Furthermore, according to another highly significant feature of the invention, automatically operating battery monitoring and/or conditioning circuitry may be secured with the battery pack for handling as a unit therewith. The monitoring circuitry may receive its operating power from the battery pack during storage or handling such that a total history of the battery pack may be retained for example in a volatile memory circuit where such type of memory otherwise provides optimum characteristics for a portable system. The conditioning circuitry may have means for effecting a deep discharge cycle, and concomitantly with the deep discharge cycle, a measure of actual battery capacity may be obtained. From such measured battery capacity and a continuous measurement of battery current during portable operation, a relatively accurate "fuel gauge" function becomes feasible such that the risk of battery failure during field operation can be essentially eliminated. The performance of a given type of battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use, and other relevant parameters.

In a simplified system currently in use, the conditioning system is incorporated in the portable utilization device such that the programmed processor of the utilizaton device may itself automatically effect a deep discharge conditioning cycle and/or a deep discharge capacity test. The deep discharge cycle may be effected at a controlled rate, such that the time for discharge from a fully charged condition to a selected discharge condition may itself represent a measure of battery capacity. Instead of directly measuring battery current during use, the programmed processor may maintain a measure of operating time and/or elapsed time during portable operation, so as to provide an indication of remaining battery capacity. A time measure of operating time may be utilized to automatically determine the time duration of the next charging cycle. When both a main battery and a backup battery are present, the operating time of each may be individually accumulated, and used to control the time duration of the respective recharging operations.

Additional features of a preferred commercial system include individual charging and discharging circuits for a main battery and a backup battery for reliable conditioning and operation of the backup battery independently of the state of the main battery. Desired parameters such as main battery voltage, backup battery voltage, ambient temperature (e.g. in the main battery case or in the battery compartment), and charging voltage may be obtained by means of an integrated circuit analog to digital converter, which thus replaces several comparators and many precision costly components of a prior implementation.

A feature generally applicable to voltage regulated power supplies resides in utilizing a regulator signal which departs markedly from its normal range as input voltage falls below a prescribed value. Such regulator signal may be utilized to switch to a different power source automatically, and/or to generate a suitable low power signal for external circuits, e.g. for controlling the issuance of a user-discernable low power warning. In a preferred implementation an operational amplifier supplies a current control signal which controls one or more current flow paths to maintain a desired regulated output voltage. A common saturation signal from the operational amplifier may result from a low power condition of any of several input sources which are connected to respective selectively activated regulator circuits. Where desired, a plurality of regulator circuits may be shifted from one setpoint voltage value to another by switching of the input circuitry of the operational amplifier, and the saturation signal will then represent a low power condition in relation to the other selected setpoint voltage value. The second regulated output voltage value may, for example, be desired in conjunction with a "power down" mode of battery powered equipment (e.g. CMOS dynamic memory circuits).

The invention will now be described, by way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings; and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from this detailed disclosure and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of a portable battery powered device which may incorporate a battery system in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the battery compartment section and adjacent portions of the portable device of FIG. 1, with a battery pack assembly disposed in the battery compartment in operative coupling relationship with a central processing unit of the portable device for purposes of power supply to the central processing unit and for purposes of transmission of data and command signals;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of a battery system in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the battery system enclosed in a protective casing, to form a complete battery pack assembly for insertion into the battery compartment of the portable device, as a unit;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram for explaining the cooperative relationship of the electronic parts of the particular portable computer terminal device and battery system shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, by way of example and not by way of limitation;

FIG. 6 shows a typical plot of permissible continuous overcharge rate as a function of temperature, for a particular type of rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell, by way of example and not by way of limitation;

FIG. 7 is a plot of the effect of repetitive shallow cycling for the particular energy storage medium also represented by the plot of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plot of discharge characteristics for the particular energy storage medium also represented by the plots of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a specific circuit implementation in accordance with the block diagram of FIG. 5, by way of example and not by way of limitation;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for illustrating an exemplary control program for carrying out analog to digital conversion of battery parameter values utilizing the particular exemplary circuit of FIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the general battery processor control program utilized in conjunction with simplified system currently in use;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a simplified portable battery powered device in accordance with the present invention associated with a battery charger means, and also serves to illustrate a stationary battery conditioning system for spare battery packs;

FIG. 13 shows a specific implementation of the battery charge and deep discharge controller and monitor circuitry which is represented as a labeled rectangle in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram indicating the operating means for effecting an automatic discharge cycle with the specific circuitry of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram for illustrating an exemplary commercial implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 16A shows a portion of an electric circuit diagram for illustrating preferred implementations of a direct current to direct current converter, a main battery charging circuit, a backup battery charging circuit, and main and backup discharge circuits for such commercial implementation;

FIG. 16B shows a continuation of the electric circuit diagram of FIG. 16A to the right, and particularly illustrates preferred regulator circuitry, preferred low power detection circuitry, and the preferred association of an integrated circuit analog to digital converter means with a main battery means and a backup battery means, in accordance with a preferred commercial implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram for illustrating the manner in which the power control circuitry of FIGS. 16A and 16B interacts with components 15-19 and 15-25 of FIG. 15 during operation of a preferred portable unit under battery power;

FIGS. 18A and 18B show actual measurements made on a circuit such as shown in FIG. 16B, for the case where there is no secondary backup battery present, and the main supply is decaying, the load current being about 250 milliamperes in FIG. 18A, and about 34 milliamperes in FIG. 18B; and

FIG. 19 shows regulating and low power sensing circuitry similar to that of FIG. 16B, and utilized in a later commercial embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable battery powered device to which the present invention may be applied. The device is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 and is of a size to be conveniently held in one hand while a keyboard generally indicated at 11 is manually actuated by means of one or more fingers of the other hand. Characters entered by means of the keyboard 11 are displayed on a panel 12 under the control of a microprocessor located generally as indicated at 14 in FIG. 2. At an end 15 of the portable device a battery receiving means or compartment is provided. Access to the battery compartment is obtained via a removable cover element 17. By unlatching and opening the cover element 17, a battery pack assembly such as indicated at 18 in FIG. 4 may be inserted into or removed from the battery compartment.

By way of example, the battery pack assembly 18 may be comprised of rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery cells such as indicated at 21 and 22 in FIG. 2. By way of example, four nickel-cadmium cells may supply a nominal output voltage of five volts and have a rated capacity of about 2.2 ampere-hours. By way of example, the central processing unit 14 of the portable device 10 may require an operating voltage of five volts plus or minus ten percent, so that a voltage regulator would be associated with the central processing unit so as to ensure an actual supply voltage within the range from 4.5 volts to 5.5 volts. The size and weight of the portable device together with the battery pack assembly 18 is such that the complete portable battery powered system can be held in one hand while the keyboard 11 is being operated with the fingers of the other hand.

In a typical use of the portable device 10, it is contemplated that the device may be used in an outdoor environment so as to be subject to a wide temperature range and relatively intensive daily use for example eight to ten hours per day. The battery pack assembly 18 is to be so designed as to have a maximum useful life even in such a stringent environment, thereby to ensure the maximum utility and reliability of the overall portable system as represented in FIG. 1.

For the sake of ensuring optimum reliability and usefulness of the overall system of FIG. 1, the battery pack assembly 18 includes digital processing circuitry 30 capable of data communication with the central processing unit 14 of the device 10. To this end, in the illustrated embodiment, as indicated in FIG. 3, the battery means 20 including the rechargeable battery cells carries therewith a printed circuit board 31 having flexible electrically conductive straps 41 through 46 which automatically make firm and reliable electrical contact with connector strips such as indicated at 51 of the terminal device 10. Two of the conductive straps of the set 41-46 may be connected with the opposite polarity terminals of the battery means 20 so as to supply battery voltage to the regulator means of the central processing unit 14. The remaining straps of the set 41-46 may sesrve to provide a communication channel between a battery processor unit of the processor circuitry 30 and the central processor unit 14 of the terminal device 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, the battery pack asssembly 18 may include an insulating casing part 60 which has an aperture at 60a in FIG. 4 for exposing the conductor straps 41 through 46 for resilient pressure engagement with respective cooperating terminal connectors such as indicated at 51 in FIG. 2. As indicated in FIG. 2, the dimensions of the battery compartment of the device 10 are closely matched to the dimensions of the battery pack assembly 18 so that the battery pack assembly 18 can only be fitted within the battery compartment in such a way that the straps 41 through 46 are in firm engagement with the respective terminal connectors such as 51.

From FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be understood that the processor circuitry 30 including the conductive straps 41-46 is secured with the battery means 20 for removability from the battery compartment as a unit. Thus the battery pack assembly 18 has self-contained processor circuitry as indicated at 30. As will be explained hereinafter, this processor circuitry 30 is electrically coupled with the battery means 20 so as to receive operating power therefrom both while the battery means forms part of the portable system 10 and while the battery means is separate from the portable unit. Thus, even where the processor circuitry 30 is provided with a memory requiring a constant supply of power, data is not lost from the memory upon removal of the battery means from the portable device 10. Still further as will be hereinafter explained the processor circuitry 30 including its memory may be operable with a battery voltage substantially less than that required by the central processor unit 14, so that data is not lost from the memory of the processing circuitry of the battery pack assembly even where the battery means has been discharged so as to have a relatively low output voltage below the minimum required operating voltage for the central processing unit 14. In this way, the battery memory means is enabled to retain an operating history of a particular rechargeable battery pack over the entire life of such battery pack, while on the other hand the processor circuitry 30 is designed so as to require a minimum space beyond the outline configuration of the rechargeable battery cells themselves. In FIG. 2, it will be observed that the casing 60 is relatively closely spaced to the periphery of the battery cells such as 21 and 22 in comparison to the cross sectional dimensions of such battery cells, and that the processor circuitry 30 is of a width dimension as viewed in FIG. 2 so as to at least partially fit within a nitch such as indicated at 63 between the two sets of battery cells. Still further, such processor circuitry 30 is selected so as to provide an essentially minimal power drain on the battery means 20, such that the battery means may be stored for long periods of time without loss of the data stored in the battery memory means. For example, the processor circuitry 30 including its associated memory means may require only a few percent of the current required by the processing system of the portable unit 10. For example, a shelf life of from one to two months for the battery memory means is feasible.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 5

FIG. 5 illustrates an overall exemplary circuit diagram for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 71 indicates a terminal processor component including central processing unit 14 and associated memory circuits. Component 72 in FIG. 5 represents terminal display circuits which may be associated with the display screen 12 of FIG. 1. Terminal connectors such as 51 are also diagrammatically indicated and are shown as being electrically connected with the flexible straps 41 through 46, respectively, of the battery pack assembly.

In FIG. 5, the battery pack or rechargeable battery means is again generally designated by reference numeral 20, and the positive and negative output terminals of the battery means 20 are indicated as being connected with the terminal processor and memory circuits component 71 via electrically conductive straps 45 and 46.

Reference numeral 81 in FIG. 5 designates a digital interface component which serves for the coupling of the terminal processor of component 71 with a battery processor of component 82 of the battery pack assembly 18. Simply for the sake of example, communication between the battery processor of component 82 and the terminal processor of component 71 is indicated as taking place via three conductors which include respective conductive straps 41 through 43 of the battery pack assembly 18, FIG. 4. Further details of an exemplary digital interface circuit for implementing component 81 will be given in relation to a more detailed electric circuit diagram to be described hereinafter. For the sake of correlation with the detailed circuit to be later described, reference numeral 83 designates a voltage regulator and reset circuit. Component 83 serves to supply a regulated operating voltage to the component 82 as well as to circuits of the digital interface component 81 in a specific preferred implementation of the present invention to be described hereinafter. Component 82 in such specific example includes a memory which requires a continuous operating voltage in order to maintain a continuous history of the battery means 20. The reset circuitry of component 83 is a dapted to supply a RESET signal which serves to indicate that the memory means has had its operating voltage interrupted.

Components 91, 92 and 93 in FIG. 5 represent battery monitoring means operatively coupled with the battery means 20 for the purpose of obtaining quantitative measures of respective battery parameters. Where the respective parameter sensing means of components 91, 92 and 93 supply analog signals, digital to analog converter means may be associated with the monitor circuitry for the purpose of obtaining the quantitative parameter measurements in digital form. In a particular preferred arrangement to be hereafter described in detail, the battery processor of component 82 may supply digital reference signals via the line 95, and the digital reference value may be converted into a common analog reference signal for matching with the respective analog measurement values of components 91, 92 and 93. In this particular embodiment, comparator circuits may be included in components 91, 92 and 93 for comparing the respective analog measurement signals with the common analog reference value in a predetermined order, the logical output signals from the comparator means being supplied via lines 96, 96 and 98 to the processor means for signaling when the digitally generated analog reference signal has reached a level exceeding the analog measurement value being compared therewith. The digital measurement values so determined may be utilized as a basis for updating battery condtion information in the memory of component 82.

A battery charging voltage input is indicated by the symbol "+CHG". Battery charging current is supplied to the rechargeable battery means 20 via a battery charging current path which is controlled by a battery charging controller circuit 101 which may receive a digital battery charge control signal via line 102 in FIG. 5. According to a preferred embodiment to be described in detail hereafter, the battery charging current path further includes a battery current sensing means which forms part of component 92. The arrangement is preferably such that the battery current measured by component 92 during a charging operation does not include any charging current which may be supplied to the terminal device including components 71 and 72 in FIG. 5. Thus the battery processor of component 82 during a charging operation receives from component 92 a quantitative measure of actual charging current supplied to the battery means itself. A battery charging voltage monitor 103 is operatively coupled with the battery charging voltage input "+CHG" and is operative to supply a quantitative measure of battery charging voltage to the processor circuitry of component 82. For example, in a preferred arrangement, the digital reference value supplied by line 95 in FIG. 5 is utilized periodically to generate an analog reference value for comparison with the analog reading of battery charging voltage of component 103. In this case, a comparator circuit of component 103 signals via output line 104 when the analog reference value exceeds the currently occurring analog value of the battery charging voltage. Thus, during a battery charging cycle, the battery processor of component 82 is supplied with battery operating information from which an optimum battery charging current can be selected. In particular, by sensing battery temperature during the battery charging operation, it is possible to provide a battery system which is adaptable to operation under a wide range of environmental conditions while yet assuring optimum efficiency in carrying out a battery recharging operation.

For further assuring the optimum conditioning and maximum operating life of the battery system, FIG. 5 illustrates a battery deep discharge controller component 110 as being electrically connected with the battery means and being controlled by an input line 111 for effecting a deep discharge conditioning of the battery means 20 at suitable times during the operating life of the battery means. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, during the deep discharge cycle of the battery means, battery current is continuously measured by the battery current monitoring component 92 so as to enable the battery processor and memory circuits of component 82 to derive a quantitative measure of the available capacity of the battery means. In a relatively simple determination of battery capacity, the battery means 20 may be first fully charged, and then subject to a deep discharge cycle wherein the battery means is discharged at a predetermined rate until such time as the battery means 20 exhibits a battery output voltage of a predetermined value, for example, four volts where components 71 and 72 of the terminal device require a minimum operating voltage of say 4.5 volts. By way of example if the battery means has a nominal rated capacity of 2.2 amp hours, the battery may be discharged at a rate of 220 milliamperes (battery capacity C divided by ten). In this case a deep discharge cycle would be completed within not more than about ten to twelve hours. (See FIG. 8 which represents the discharge characteristic of one nickel-cadmium cell.)

Charge current is coupled to the battery pack via conductive strap 44 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 6 AND 7

By way of background, FIG. 6 is a plot illustrating maximum charge rate as a function of temperature. It will be observed that at relatively low temperatures, the permissible charging rate is relatively low. Thus a battery system adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, and yet utilizing a maximum charging rate is achieved when the charging rate can be adjusted according to quantitative measurement of battery temperature during the charging cycle.

Specifically for the case of a nickel-cadmium battery pack overcharging is the point at which the majority of charge current generates oxygen at the positive electrode rather than increasing the state of charge of the cell. This point occurs at approximately the 75% state of charge level. As oxygen is generated, the internal pressure of the cell increases, which ultimately determines the amount of overcharge the cell can withstand. The maximum allowable rate is a strong function of cell temperature. This is due to the fact that the generated oxygen must re-combine with cadmium at the negative electrode to pevent oxygen build-up and hence internal pressure increase. The rate of re-combination is dictated by cell temperature due to the viscosity of the electrolyte and the rate of the chemical reaction at the negative electrode. If the allowable over-charge rate for a given cell temperature is exceeded, the cell pressure may exceed the pressure relief valve safety level, causing venting and potentially expelling electrolyte, which drastically reduces cell life.

FIG. 7 illustrates the effect of repetitive shallow cycling on the output voltage of a given cell of a nickel-cadmium battery pack. Curves 121, 122 and 123 show the variation in output voltage over an operating cycle for repsective increasing numbers of shallow operating cycles. Specifically curve 121 shows the variation in output voltage over time in hours for shallow discharge cycle number 5, while curve 122 represents the corresponding variation at shallow cycle number 100 and curve 123 shows the result at cycle number 500. Not only does repetitive shallow discharge produce a voltage depression effect as illustrated in FIG. 7, but this type of operation of the battery pack also causes a gradual and consistent degradation of cell capacity.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 8

FIG. 8 illustrates the discharge characteristic for a nickel-cadmium cell. A deep discharge of the cell is considered to have taken place at region 124 where the output voltage begins to decrease relatively rapidly. A deep discharge cycle may be considered to have been effected when the cell voltage falls to a value of one volt, for example. A deep discharge, at a normal rate of battery usage, say battery capacity divided by twenty (C/20), might require more than twenty hours of portable operation without a recharging cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 9A AND 9B

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a more detailed circuit implemenatation in accordance with the block diagram of FIG. 5. In FIG. 9A the battery pack is schematicaly indicated at 20 and is shown as having a precision resistance element 131 permanently in series therewith for the purpose of sensing battery current during charging and discharging operations. By way of example, element 131 may have a resistance value of one-tenth ohm with a preciion of one percent. The battery pack 20 also has associated therewith a precision voltage sensing arrangement comprising resistance elements 132 and 133. The resistance value of elements 132 and 133 in series is sufficiently high so that only a negligible battery current flows in this voltage sensing circuit. A battery temperature sensing transducer 134 is shown as being physically disposed in heat transfer relation to the battery pack 20. A precision resistance element 135 is shown in series with the transducer 134 for the purpose of supplying a voltage representative of battery temperature during a charging operation.

For the purpose of sensing charging voltage during a battery charging operation, precision resistance elements 136 and 137 are illustrated as being connected with the battery charging voltage input "+CHG". The resistance values of the voltage divider are selected such that the voltage across resistance element 137 will accurately represent the charging voltage during a battery charging operation. Analog to digital converter means is associated with the respective battery parameter sensing elements so as to convert the measurements into digital form. In the particular circuit embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, this conversion operation is carried out with the use of programmed processor circuitry 140, FIG. 9B. The processor circuitry 140 controls an eight-bit R/2R ladder network 141 having an analog output at 142. The analog output line 142 is connected to comparators 151 through 154 shown in FIG. 9A and supplies a common analog reference voltage to the non-inverting inputs of these comparators. The inverting inputs 161 through 164 of the comparators 151 through 154 are coupled with the respective battery parameter sensing circuits. In a specific implementation, the processing circuitry 140 is implemented with a power supply voltage of three volts which may be obtained from a very accurate stable voltage reference supply/amplifier device 150. By utilizing a voltage reference as the power source for the processing circuitry 140, the output ports associated with the ladder network provide an accuracy comparable to that of a conventional digital to analog converter. In the particular embodiment illustrated there is a ninth bit in the most-significant bit location of the ladder network 141. This is provided so as to adapt the ladder network output at 142 to the input common mode voltage range of the comparators 151 thorugh 154. Under worst case conditions, the battery terminal voltage may reach 4.0 volts which limits the common mode input voltage to 2.5 volts, approximately. To achieve eight-bit resolution, the full digital to analog analog voltage range must be accommodated by the comparators 151 through 154. By configuring the digital to analog converter network 141 as a nine-bit ladder with the most significant bit a logic zero, the lower eight bits of the nine-bit ladder remain, giving a resultant digital to analog voltage range of: ##EQU1##

With this digital to analog converter as a building block a successive approximation analog to digital converter can be implemented with the voltage comparators 151 through 154 FIG. 9A and a straightforward microprocessor algorithm (as represented in FIG. 10).

The successive approximation algorithm depends on the assumption that the analog voltage being measured does not change appreciably during the conversion sequence. The nature of the exemplary application inherently has characteristics of slowly changing parameters with the exception of the discharge current, which can change abruptly and significantly. The solution to this potential difficulty is a low-pass filter amplifier which serves to integrate or average any rapidly changing current fluctuations.

Since the analog to digital converter has a convertion range of 0 to 1.497 volts, the four analog signals to be measured must be scaled appropriately to yield a convenient step resolution by offering measurability over the necessary range of values. The scaling values and step resolutions may be selected as follows:

1. Channel 0: Charge voltage

step resolution =80 mv

maximum range: 20.40 volts

2. Channel 1: Discharge current step resolution=2 ma maximum range: 510 ma

3. Channel 2: Battery terminal voltage step resolution=25 mv maximum range: 6.375 volts

4. Channel 3: Battery temperature step resolution=2°K. maximum range: 509K=236° C.

Particularly in the case of channel two it might be noted that a four-cell nickel-cadmium battery pack can have a terminal voltage that exceeds 6.375 volts, which is the maximum range of channel two. In the present example, however, no additional useful information would be provided if the battery processor could determine when battery voltage exceeded 6.375 volts.

As previously mentioned, battery discharge current is subject to rapid fluctuations. Accordingly, the channel one current monitor means includes an integration circuit as indicated at 170 in FIG. 9A. The integration circuit 170 has its input connected with the current sensing resistance element 131 and its output connected with input line 163 of comparator 153, FIG. 9A.

Referring to FIG. 9A, an implementation of the battery charging controller 101 of FIG. 5 comprises an analog control line 171 leading to an inverting input of a comparator 172 which controls a battery charging current regulating circuit 173. The battery charging current is controlled by the processor circuitry 140, FIG. 9B, with the use of an additional four bit R/2R ladder network 174. The ladder network 174 supplies an analog command signal via line 171 for controlling components 172 and 173. Thus, the analog command signal can have one of sixteen discrete voltage levels. The output voltage range is from zero volts to 15/16 times the reference voltage level or 2.81 volts, with steps of 187.5 millivolts.

An operational amplifier 176, FIG. 9A, is coupled with the battery current sensing resistor 131 and provides an amplification such that a voltage step of 187.5 millivolts at input 171 of comparator 172, FIG. 9A, is matched by a battery current step of thirty-two milliamperes in resistance element 131. Thus, for a battery current in element 131 of thirty-two milliamperes, a voltage at output line 177 of 187.5 millivolts is supplied to the non-inverting input of comparator 172. The minimum charge current level is theoretically zero; however, finite input offset voltages present in the amplifier 176 predict a potential zero level charge current of six milliamperes maximum. This is insignificant when it is recognized that the only time the zero level charge value will be selected is during the deep cycle function when much larger current levels will be drained from the battery.

In the illustrated battery charging current regulating circuit 173, three power transistors in parallel have separate base resistors for balancing unequal device parameters and ensuring equal current and power dissipation sharing between the devices. A major design consideration in the illustrated embodiment is the power dissipation of the current regulator 173 coupled with the heat associated with the battery pack 20 during the charging cycle, especially during the overcharge portion of the charge cycle which occurs after the battery reaches approximately seventy-five percent of its maximum charge capacity. To retain compatibility with existing charging circuits, the regulated charger 172, 173 must be capable of operating with input charge voltage levels of at least twelve volts. In some instances, the applied charge voltage might exceed eighteen volts. The dissipation is the regulator devices of circuit 173 is given by the equation:

    P.sub.d =(v.sub.CJG -V.sub.BATT) I.sub.CHG

Given worst case conditions:

V_(CHG) =18 volts

V_(BATT) =4 volts

I_(CHG) =480 ma

P_(d) =(18-4) (0.48)=6.72 watts.

It is clear that 6.72 watts exceeds the power dissipation capacity of even three transistors in regulator network 173, and would generate excessive heat within an enclosed unit even if the transistors could handle the charge voltage input. Since the battery voltage is known and the charge current level is selected by the processor circuitry 140, the resultant power dissipation can be directly controlled by the processor circuit 140. This means that essentially constant power operation of the transistors of network 173 can be achieved when high charge voltage conditions exist. If the charge voltage input is reduced to a more efficient level, higher charge currents are possible when conditions permit. The minimum charge voltage input that would still give proper constant current regulation is approximately 7.0 volts, which would result in minimum power dissipation.

According to the teachings of the present invention, the battery pack 20 is to be subjected periodically to a deep discharge cycle, in order that the battery pack can maintain its full rated capacity and exhibit maximum operating life. A suggested discharge cycle to meet this requirement is discharging the battery at a C/10 rate to a terminal voltage of 4.0 volts for a four-cell configuration. A discharge control circuit for this purpose is indicated at 180 in FIG. 9A, the control input 181 being controlled from the processor circuitry 140 as indicated in FIG. 9B.

A deep discharge of battery pack 20 would not normally occur in the typical usage contemplated for the illustrated embodiment since normally the battery pack and associated portable system is used less than fourteen hours per day, while the design operating time for the battery pack is typically twenty hours. Furthermore, most logic devices and LSI circuits such as those utilized to implement component 71 of FIG. 5, will not function at 4.0 volts. The illustrated embodiment performs the deep discharge function by switching a resistive load 182, FIG. 9A, across the battery 20 that causes current to be drained out at a predetermined rate, typically C/10. During the deep discharge cycle, not only is the battery conditioned, but further, according to the teachings of the present invention, the available capacity of the battery is measured. By measuring the available capacity of the battery, a battery "life history" can be maintained that has important diagnostic potential. If the available capacity begins to decrease past predetermined values, the user can be alerted, for example, via the terminal display circuits component 72, FIG. 5, before a fault of field failure occurs. The battery current sensor element 131 and integrator circuit 170 may be utilized to measure battery capacity during the deep discharge cycle.

In order to allow the battery to be discharged down to a deep discharge level corresponding to an output voltage of 4.0 volts, an auxilliary power source should be available to power the logic in the portable terminal device of FIG. 5 during the deep discharge cycle. A power regulator circuit may be built into the portable terminal device that regulates 5.0 volts from either the battery 20 or the charge voltage input terminal "+CHG", whichever is higher in potential. The net result of this power control arrangement is to completely remove the terminal load from the battery whenever the system receives power from a charger. For the case of a portable terminal device having data in a volatile memory, it is necessary that the charge voltage input not be interrupted during a deep cycle sequence. A message at the display 12, FIG. 1, can inform the user that the deep cycle sequence is in progress and that the terminal device should not be used until the cycle is completed. To minimize the impact of this operation on the user, the deep cycle function including a full discharge followed by a normal charge cycle will be initiated by the application program in the terminal device so that a convenient non-interferring time can be selected for this relatively long duration function, for example, over a weekend.

The key to utilizing the functional capabilities of the battery processor 140 is to provide for digital communication between the battery processor and the terminal processor circuitry. A digital interface 81 has been indicated in FIG. 5 for this purpose and exemplary detailed circuitry in FIG. 9B has been given the same reference numeral. The interface 81 may process the following three data signals:

1. BPCLK: Battery Processor Clock (from terminal)

2. BPWDATA: Battery Processor Write Data (from terminal)

3. BPRDATA: Battery Processor Read Data (from battery processor).

These three signals are protected from damage by static discharge by means of one hundred kilohm resistors in line with each input or output. The battery processor interface utilizes voltage comparators 191, 192 and 193 which are relatively immune to static damage. At the terminal, CMOS devices are used, therefore 4.7 volts Zener diodes are provided to further protect these more sensitive components. The voltage comparators 191, 192 and 193 perform the additional function of level conversion between the battery processor operating at 3.0 volts and the terminal logic operating at 5.0 volts. The open collector outputs of the comparators are pulled up by resistors connected to the appropriate power supply to ensure proper logic levels in either direction.

The communication protocol is based on the terminal processor controlling data transfers by issuing a clocking signal to the battery processor. The battery processor has the capability of requesting service by causing an interrupt to the terminal processor when it pulls the BPRDATA signal from its rest "1" condition to a "0". This signal has a resistor pull down on the terminal side of the interface, so an interrupt will automatically occur whenever the battery pack is removed from the terminal.

It is recognized that complete discharge of the battery can occur. In this case, information stored in the battery processor circuitry 140 will be lost but the system must be able to restore itself and properly recover and recharge the battery. To ensure such recovery, a voltage comparator 195 monitors the 3.0 volt power supply 150 and forces a RESET condition if the voltage supplied to the processor goes out of range. When the battery pack is again placed on charge, the battery processor circuitry 140 will restart and the control program will re-establish execution and control of the battery system.

Where the battery pack assembly 18 could be accidentally inserted upside-down, and reverse the electrical connections, to prevent damage or operational faults, the interface signals are shown as being arranged so that no high powered signals are connected to other high powered signals if reversed. All reversed connections terminate through the 100 kilohm protection resistors at the strap conductors 41-44, limiting currents to safe levels.

By way of example, processor circuitry 140 may be implemented by means of a single chip microprocessor such as the MC146805F2 which is a high performance CMOS derivative of the MC6805, with a reduced pinout arrangement that allows packaging in the JEDEC standard twenty-eight pin leadless chip carrier. Features of this device include:

1. Operation at V_(CC) =3.0 V

2. Low power standby "sleep" mode with self wake-up

3. External interrupt

4. Miniature package

5. CMOS port structure

6. On chip clock oscillator.

By way of example, a one megahertz crystal is indicated at 196 in association with the clock oscillator terminals of circuitry 140.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 10

FIG. 10 illustrates a successive approximation algorithm for carrying out analog to digital conversion with respect to one of the battery parameters sensed by the circuitry of FIG. 9A.

By way of specific example, if a battery charging operation is to take place and if the charge voltage at "+CHG" is 14.385 volts, then the voltage at input 164 of comparator 154 will have a value of 1.050 volts. Thus, at the start of a conversion operation for obtaining a digital measurement of charge voltage, as represented at 10-1 in FIG. 10, the analog voltage at the reference input line 142 will be at zero volts, and the output of comparator 154, designated AN0 (channel 0) will be at a logical zero level.

As represented at block 10-2 in FIG. 10, for the case of an eight-bit digital to analog converter network 141 as previously described, a variable n is initially assigned a value seven. According to step 10-3, a logical one value is thus assigned to the highest order output port of processor 140. The result is that the reference line 142 receives an analog output voltage corresponding to 2⁷ or 128 voltage increments (about 0.751 volts). Since the analog reference value at line 142, FIG. 9A, is still less than the analog voltage at line 164, comparator 154 continues to supply a logical zero signal to the processor 140.

According to the block 10-4 of FIG. 10, the comparator output logic level is read by the processor, and according to decision block 10-5 where the comparator output is at a logical zero, processing continues via block 10-6 to block 10-7, whereby the variable n is assigned the new value six.

Thereupon, upon return to step 10-3, a logical one signal is produced at the second highest order output port of processor circuit 140, so that a total of 192 voltage increments is supplied at analog reference line 142 (a voltage of about 1.127 volts). If the voltage level at line 164, FIG. 9A, is 1.050 volts, then the voltage level at line 142 now exceeds the voltage level at line 164, and the output of comparator 154 is at a logical one level. Accordingly at the decision step 10-5, the program branches to block 10-8, whereby the bit with the weight of 2⁶ is set to a logical zero value. Then according to step 10-6 and step 10-7, the variable n is set to five, and according to step 10-3 the bit with the weight of 2⁵ is set to a logical one value. Accordingly, analog reference line 142 receives a voltage of 160 voltage units (b 0.939 volts). Since the analog reference level at line 142 is now less than the analog value at line 164, comparator 154 supplies a logical zero signal, and processing continues through steps 10-4, 10-5 and 10-6. Next according to step 10-7, the variable n is set to a value of four, and so on. When finally the bit having a weight of 2⁰ has been set by the procedure of FIG. 10, the program branches to 10-9, and the analog input value at 164, FIG. 9A, has been converted into a corresponding digital value which may be stored in the memory of component 140 for further processing.

DESCRIPTION OF TABLES A AND B

On the following pages a Table A and a Table B pertaining to the battery processor component 82, FIG. 5, are set forth. In Table A, various suggested hexadecimal (HEX) codes are set forth which may be utilized in conjunction with the keyboard 11 (FIG. 1), for transmitting commands to the battery processor. In the case of hexadecimal codes 30 (HEX) through 35 (HEX), the requested battery information is transmitted by the battery processor via the digital interface 81, FIG. 5, for display on the terminal display screen 12, FIG. 1.

Table B illustrates the type of data which may be stored at respective memory locations of the memory circuits of component 82, FIG. 5. While the Tables are considered self-explanatory, a few comments on Table B are presented subsequent to the Tables:

                  TABLE A                                                          ______________________________________                                         BATTERY PROCESSOR: COMMAND FORMAT                                              CODE (HEX)    FUNCTION                                                         ______________________________________                                         00            Error recovery RESET                                             01            Read STATUS (one byte returned)                                  02            RESET ALL, Begin history                                         10            Read analog channel 0                                            11            Read analog channel 1                                                                               one byte                                    12            Read analog channel 2                                                                               returned                                    13            Read analog channel 3                                            20            Set low reserve alert point                                                    (one byte sent)                                                  21            Set low voltage alert point                                                    (one byte sent)                                                  22            Set minimum capacity alert                                                     (one byte sent)                                                  30            Read fuel gauge                                                                (one byte returned)                                              31            Read maximum available capacity                                                (one byte returned)                                              32            Read charge cycle count                                                        (two bytes returned)                                             33            Read deep cycle count                                                          (two bytes returned)                                             34            Read accumulated hours used                                                    (two bytes returned)                                             35            Read use history indicator                                                     (four bytes returned)                                            40            Initiate deep cycle function                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE B                                                          ______________________________________                                         BATTERY PROCESSOR:                                                                              DATA DEFINITIONS                                              STATUS:                                                                         ##STR1##                                                                      ANALOG VALUES:                                                                  ##STR2##                                                                      CH. 0: CHARGE VOLTAGE, 80 mV/STEP, 20.4 VOLTS MAX                              CH. 1: DISCHARGE CURRENT, 2 ma/STEP, 510 ma MAX                                CH. 2: BATTERY TERMINAL VOLTAGE, 25 mV/STEP                                    6,375 VOLTS MAX                                                                CH. 3: BATTERY TEMPERATURE, 2° K./STEP (ABSOLUTE)                       LOW RESERVE ALERT POINT:                                                        ##STR3##                                                                      8-BIT VALUE, 1 ≦ LOW RESERVE ALERT POINT ≦ 99                    DEFAULT VALUE: 20 = 14(HEX) (20% RESERVE)                                      SCALED BY BATTERY PROCESSOR AS % C REMAINING                                   WHEN LOW RESERVE INTERRUPT GIVEN TO                                            TERMINAL PROCESSOR                                                             LOW VOLTAGE ALERT POINT:                                                        ##STR4##                                                                      8-BIT VALUE, 1 ≦ LOW VOLTAGE ALERT POINT ≦ 255                   DEFAULT VALUE 190 = 0BE(HEX) (4.75 VOLTS)                                      SCALED BY BATTERY PROCESSOR AS 25 mV/STEP                                      MINIMUM CAPACITY ALERT:                                                         ##STR5##                                                                      8-BIT VALUE, 0 ≦ MINIMUM ALERT ≦ 255                             10 ma - HR/STEP, 2550 ma - HR MAX.                                             DEFAULT VALUE: 0 (ESSENTIALLY DISABLED) WHEN                                   MAXIMUM AVAILABLE CAPACITY (AS MEASURED                                        BY DEEP CYCLE FUNCTION) DECREASES TO THIS                                      LEVEL, AN INTERRUPT ALERT IS GIVEN TO THE                                      TERMINAL PROCESSOR                                                             MAXIMUM AVAILABLE CAPACITY (C):                                                 ##STR6##                                                                      8-BIT VALUE, 0 ≦C ≦ 255                                          10 ma - HR/STEP, 2550 ma - HR/MAX.                                             MEASURED AND SET DURING DEEP DISCHARGE                                         FUNCTION                                                                       DEFAULT VALUE: 100 = 64(HEX)                                                   CHARGE CYCLE COUNT:                                                             ##STR7##                                                                      16-BIT VALUE, INITIALIZED TO 0                                                 COUNTS NUMBER OF CHARGE CYCLES INITIATED                                       DEEP CYCLE COUNT:                                                               ##STR8##                                                                      16-BIT VALUE, INITIALIZED TO 0                                                 COUNTS NUMBER OF DEEP DISCHARGE-                                               RECHARGE CYCLES                                                                ACCUMULATED HOURS:                                                              ##STR9##                                                                      16-BIT VALUE, INITIALIZED TO 0                                                 COUNTS ACTUAL HOURS OF USE                                                     DELIVERING CURRENT                                                             USE HISTORY INFORMATION:(4 BYTES)                                               ##STR10##                                                                     8-BIT VALUE, COUNTS NUMBER OF TIMES OVER                                       VOLTAGE ON CHARGE EXPERIENCED                                                   ##STR11##                                                                     8-BIT VALUE, COUNTS NUMBER OF TIMES TEMP                                       EXCEEDED 45° c. DURING CHARGE                                            ##STR12##                                                                     8-BIT VALUE, AVERAGE DEPTH OF DISCHARGE                                        DURING USE, % C.                                                                ##STR13##                                                                     8-BIT VALUE, CHANGE IN AVAILABLE CAPACITY                                      FROM MAXIMUM OBSERVED                                                          FUEL GAUGE;                                                                     ##STR14##                                                                     8-BIT VALUE, 0 ≦ FUEL GAUGE VALUE ≦ 100                          SCALED BY BATTERY PROCESSOR AS % C REMAINING                                   ______________________________________                                    

Referring to the STATUS word of Table B, for a new battery pack for example, for which no prior history has been recorded, bit zero of the STATUS word would be placed in a logical one condition representing a cold start of battery history. The remaining bits of the STATUS word could be at a logical zero level.

Various of the storage locations represented in Table B have default values which the locations receive in the absence of a particular selected value at the time of start up. For example, a LOW RESERVE ALERT POINT register would be set at a hexadecimal (HEX) value representing an alert point corresponding to a remaining capacity of the battery of 20% of its rated capacity. Thus, in the absence of a different setting, the battery processor would transmit an interrupt to the terminal processor (indicated at 71 in FIG. 5) when the battery had been discharged to such an extent that only a 20% reserve of capacity remained.

The CHARGE CYCLE COUNT of Table B, on the other hand, would be initialized to zero.

While the essential features of the invention will be fully understood from the foregoing description, it is proposed to include hereinafter certain further exemplary details concerning a specific implementation of an illustrative overall battery system. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims hereof, and that specific details are given solely by way of example and not by way of limitation. An embodiment of the invention as defined in the claims is readily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without reference to the following elaboration.

Applicant would emphasize that the various features of the invention have substantial utility when practiced separately. For example, a non-rechargeable battery system with means for monitoring battery discharge current and automatically alerting the user when battery energy has been reduced to a selected value would have important utility independent of other features. A simplification of the disclosed portable system could be made by utilizing a non-portable system to insert a measured value of battery capacity into the memory of the battery system after each deep discharge cycle. For example the deep discharge and charging cycles might be controlled by a separate non-portable computer system at a central charging station. This computer system might be capable of communication with the memory of the battery system for inserting an accurate actual measurement of battery capacity. For the case of a central computer controlled charging station, the central computer could interrogate the memory of the battery system for relevant battery history and then selectively determine a suitable charging voltage and charging current. At selected times, the central computer could determine that the battery should be fully charged and then deep discharged to measure its acutal capacity.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 11

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the general control program for the battery processor. During start of the system as represented by block 11-1 various storage locations of the memory of component 82, FIG. 5, may be initialized.

With respect to decision block 11-2, the battery processor, for example, may interrogate the battery charging voltage monitor 103, FIG. 5, to determine if a charging voltage is present. If a charging voltage is present, control branches as indicated at 11-3 and 11-4 to obtain the optimum value of battery charging current. Otherwise as represented by blocks 11-5 and 11-6, the battery processor effects the monitoring of battery parameters so as to update the battery information of Table B at suitable intervals.

As represented by decision block 11-7, upon receipt of an interrupt, the battery processor determines if the source of the interrupt signal was the battery processor timer, in which case control returns to decision block 11-2. On the other hand if the source of the interrupt signal was a communication from the keyboard 11 of terminal device 10, processing continues as indicated at 11-8. The respective command types pursuant to blocks 11-9 through 11-11 correspond to the respective code groups of Table A. Following execution according to block 11-11, the control program returns to block 11-2.

DESCRIPTION OF TABLES C AND D

Exemplary circuit components and resistance and capacitance values for FIGS. 9A and 9B are shown in the following TABLES C and D.

                  TABLE C                                                          ______________________________________                                         (FIG. 9A)                                                                      ______________________________________                                         Comparator 172     LM10B                                                       Transistors T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3                                                             ZTX750                                                      Resistors R.sub.a, R.sub.b, R.sub.c                                                               2.2 kilohms, each                                           Schottky Diodes D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3                                                         IN5819                                                      Circuit 180        Darlington NPN                                              Resistors 182      47 ohms, 1/2 watt, each                                     Resistor 132       32.4 kilohms, 1%                                            Resistor 133       10 kilohms, 1%                                              Transducer 134     AD 590                                                      Battery 20         2.2 ampere hour                                                                four cells × 1/2 D                                                       Polytemp Nickel-Cadmium                                     Resistor 131       .1 ohm, 1%                                                  Amplifier of 170   CA 3260                                                     Resistor R.sub.d   29.4 kilohms, 1%                                            Capacitor C.sub.a  .1 microfarad                                               Resistor R.sub.e   1 kilohm, 1%                                                Amplifier 176      CA 3260                                                     Resistor R.sub.f   57.6 kilohm, 1%                                             Capacitor C.sub.f  .1 microfarad                                               Resistor R.sub.i   1 kilohm, 1%                                                Resistor 135       2.94 kilohm, 1%                                             Resistor 136       127 kilohms, 1%                                             Resistor 137       10 kilohms, 1%                                              Comparators 151-154                                                                               LM 339                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE D                                                          ______________________________________                                         (FIG. 9B)                                                                      ______________________________________                                         Voltage Regulator 150                                                                             LM10B                                                       Resistor R.sub.1   10 kilohms, 1%                                              Resistor R.sub.2   140 kilohms, 1%                                             Crystal 196        1 megahertz                                                 Resistor R.sub.3   10 megohms                                                  Resistors R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8                                                      100 kilohms each                                            Resistor R.sub.7   20 kilohms                                                  Comparators 191-193                                                                               LM 339                                                      Resistors R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11                                                             100 kilohms each                                            Comparator 195     LM 339                                                      Resistor R.sub.12  100 kilohms                                                 Capacitor C.sub.1  .1 microfarad                                               Resistor R.sub.13  10 kilohms, 1%                                              Resistor R.sub.14  127 kilohms, 1%                                             Resistors R.sub.15-18                                                                             100 kilohms, each                                           R Resistance Values                                                                               100 kilohms, 1%, each                                       2R Resistance Values                                                                              200 kilohms, 1%, each                                       Resistor R.sub.19  10 kilohms                                                  Processor Circuit 140                                                                             MC 146805F2                                                 ______________________________________                                    

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 12

FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified embodiment of a portable battery powered system in accordance with the present invention. Reference numeral 12-10 represents a portable utilization device which may have the same appearance and characteristics as described for the device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Thus the device 12-10 may have a terminal display circuit 12-12 associated with a display region such as indicated at 12 in FIG. 1 and may include processor and memory circuits 12-14 including a microprocessor located generally as indicated at 14 in FIG. 2. Battery charge and deep discharge controller and battery condition monitor circuitry 12-18 could correspond with the circuitry previously described in FIGS. 5, 9A and 9B, with the difference that the circuitry is permanently associated with the portable device 10 and is located in a space adjacent to space 14 of FIG. 2 rather than being a permanent part of the battery pack as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 12 a rechargable battery means is indicated at 12-20 and may comprise four nickel-cadmium cells supplying a nominal output voltage of five volts and having the characteristics previously described including those indicated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 12, however, the rechargable battery means 12-20 is readily detachable from the circuitry 12-18 so as to be removable and replaceable without disturbing circuitry 12-18. By way of example circuitry 12-18 may be installed on a separate board which fits within the housing of the device 10 of FIG. 1 in the same way as the microprocessor board located at 14 in FIG. 2. In FIG. 12, small circles have been applied to represent a quick disconnect coupling between components 12-14 and 12-18. Thus, the terminal conductors of component 12-14 may be readily disconnected at 12-21 from the circuitry 12-18 and connected instead to output devices such as indicated at 51 in FIGS. 2 and 5, so that components 12-12 and 12-14 may be readily adapted to cooperate with the battery system of FIGS. 3 and 4 including the circuitry of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

For the simplified embodiment of FIG. 12, conventional spring type coupling has been indicated at 12-22 between circuitry 12-18 and battery means 12-20, so that a conventional battery pack is automatically coupled with the circuitry 12-18 when inserted into the portable device 12-10. By way of example, device 12-10 may correspond essentially to a portable data terminal of Norand Corporation identified as the NT 121 data terminal, modified to include component 12-18 and receiving a conventional nickel cadmium battery pack by means of a releasable coupling at 12-22 corresponding to that utilized in the commercial device. In the commercial system, the battery pack may be charged by coupling of component 12-14 to a battery charger means such as indicated at 12-24, for example by means of a plug and socket coupling indicated at 12-25. Component 12-14 when associated with a battery charger means may supply a charging voltage output (+CHG) as indicated in association with terminal 44 in FIG. 5, while component 12-14 may receive battery output voltage (V+, ground) from the battery means 12-20 via circuitry 12-18, as indicated in association with terminals 45 and 46 in FIG. 5. In an embodiment corresponding to that previously described, circuitry 12-18 would correspond to components 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93, 101, 103, and 110 of FIG. 5, for example. In a simplified specific embodiment, component 12-18 may utilize circuitry such as illustrated in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 13

FIG. 13 illustrates a specific battery charge and deep discharge controller and battery condition monitor circuit corresponding to component 12-18 of FIG. 12. The circuit 13-10 of FIG. 13 may be implemented as a printed circuit board for insertion into the previously mentioned model 121 portable data terminal such as illustrated in FIG. 1. For the sake of correlating the circuit of FIG. 13 with the illustration of FIG. 12, the terminals at the right hand side in FIG. 13 have been designated 12-21a through 12-21f to indicate there correlation with the quick diconnect coupling indicated at 12-21 in FIG. 12 between components 12-14 and 12-18.

For the specific commercial device previously identified, terminal 12-21a receives charging current of 0.66 amperes from a constant current circuit of component 12-14 which in turn is energized from battery charger means 12-24. Terminal 12-21a is thus designated by the notation "CHARGE".

Terminal 12-21b at the right in FIG. 13 receives a logical control signal from component 12-14. For example, with terminal 12-21b in a high potential condition, the charging current through transistor Q9 is at a value corresponding to rated capacity in ampere hours divided by 8.3 hours (C/8.3 amperes). With terminal 12-21b at a low logical potential level, the charging current has a value of full capacity divided by 100 (C/100). Switch 13-11 provides over temperature protection and may operate at a temperature 55 degress centigrade.

Comparator 13-12 may sense an over-voltage condition and may receive a reference input of 2.000 volts at its upper inverting input.

Terminal 12-21b is designated by the legend "CHARGE CONTROL" and may be controlled from the programmed processor of component 12-14.

Battery 12-20 has been indicated in FIG. 13 operatively engaged with coupling elements which are indicated at 12-22a and 12-22b. The battery 12-20 is coupled by a terminal 12-21c and 12-21d with the component 12-14 for supplying operating power to the portable device during normal operation thereof.

Terminals 12-21e and 12-21f are utilized to effect an automatic deep discharge cycle. When terminal 12-21f is at a logical low potential state, terminal 12-21e provides a signal LB1 which in the high logical potential condition represents a low battery condition as sensed by comparator 13-14.

When terminal 12-21f is at a logical high potential condition, transistor Q7 is turned on, so as to activate the constant current discharge circuit including component 13-15. By way of example, the discharge of battery 12-20 may be at a rate of full capacity divided by five hours (C/5.amperes). During discharge operation, comparator 13-20 is active and provides a logical high potential signal (LB2) when a discharge value of battery potential, for example 3.8 volts, has been detected. For the specific battery referred to, comparator 13-12 may be activated at a voltage value of 6.2 volts, and then be reset when battery voltage is reduced to a value of 5.4 volts. Comparator 13-14 may be activated at a low battery voltage value of 4.65 volts, and be reset when the battery 12-20 has been charged above a voltage value of 5.4 volts. Comparator 13-20 may be activated at a discharge voltage value of 3.8 volts and then be reset when the battery 12-20 has been recharged to a voltage value above 5.4 volts, for example.

Terminal 12-21e is designated with the legend "LB1/LB2) and the terminal 12-21f is labeled with the legend "DISCHARGE".

By way of example, it will be apparent that the system of FIG. 12 may serve as a stationary battery conditioning system for removably receiving spare battery packs. Such a system could correspond to that illustrated in FIG. 1, but with the housing of device 10 permanently fastened to a stationary supporting frame. Conveniently, a removable cover such as 17 could be replaced by a quick access lid with a simple hinge, or the battery space for a conventional battery pack could be simply left open. Of course, a corresponding circuit could be made with heavier parts of the like specifically for stationary operation.

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 14

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary automatic operation of the system of FIGS. 12 and 13 in conducting a test of battery capacity. When a portable system 12-10 is plugged into battery charger means 12-24, a deep discharge and recharge of the battery may be carried out. Such a procedure should be performed at least once a month to maintain the storage capacity of the battery. With the battery 12-20 fully recharged, a capacity measurement function as indicated in FIG. 14 may be performed when convenient. In the illustrated embodiment, the result of the capacity test is an indication of a percentage equal to the discharge time observed during a deep discharge cycle divided by eight hours. A value exceeding eighty percent may indicate that the batteries are still functioning adequately.

Referring to FIG. 14, a capacity test may be initiated by pressing the ENTER KEY, FIG. 1, in response to the prompt CAPACITY TEST? appearing at the display 12. By way of example, this prompt may appear once a conditioning discharge of the battery has been completed. Alternatively, selection of the capcity test function may automatically cause the battery to be discharge and fully charged before the actual capacity test steps of FIG. 14 are automatically carried out. In this case, step 14-2 might read: BATTERY DEEP DISCHARGED AND FULLY RECHARGED?

In the illustrated embodiment, step 14-2 may correspond with waiting until a battery charge timer indicates full charge by decrementing to zero from 780 minutes.

Once the battery is fully recharged, the operating system reads the current time as a starting time for the deep discharge cycle.

According to step 14-4, component 12-14 supplies a logical high potential signal to terminal 12-21f, FIG. 13 to initiate a further deep discharge cycle.

In executing step 14-5, the operating system of component 12-14 monitors terminal 12-21e of FIG. 13 for a logical high potential signal indicating that the battery has been discharged to a discharge level of for example 3.8 volts.

According to step 14-6, when a logical high potential signal appears at terminal 12-21e, the current time is read from a clock of component 12-14 as the "LB2 TIME".

By step 14-7, a logical low potential signal is supplied to terminal 12-21f to turn off the discharge circuit, and a logical high potential signal is supplied to terminal 12-21b to initiate a fast recharge of the battery.

For step 14-8, the processor of component 12-14 obtains the difference between the LB2 TIME and the starting time, as a measure of the time required for the deep discharge cycle. Where with a battery in good condition the deep discharge cycle requires eight hours, the calculation of step 14-8 obtains the percentage value of the observed deep discharge time in comparison to a discharge time of either hours.

Pursuant to step 14-9, component 12-14 may cause the calculated deep discharge time to be displayed at the display means 12 of FIG. 1. For example, if the observed deep discharged time were six hours, the display might show: "BATT PERCENT =75".

An outline of a battery discharge subroutine (PSBAT1P) for the commercial model 121 portable data terminal is set forth on the following pages, followed by a program listing of this subroutine.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR AN EMBODIMENT ACCORDING TO FIGS. 12-14

A battery discharge program has been written and is in use for the model 121 portable data unit which has been described in connection with FIGS. 12-14 of the present drawings.

The system as represented in FIG. 12, comprises operating means including a NSC-800 processor and real time clock, automatically operating according to FIG. 14 under the control of the subroutine which is known as PSBAT1P. A copy of user guide specification for this subroutine is as follows:

COPY OF USER GUIDE SPECIFICATION FOR THE SUBROUTINE PSBAT1P SUBROUTINE: PSBAT1P

This subroutine has no parameters. In order to access it, it must be declared in the EXTERNALS section of a program, and then linked to the program, according to the conventions of the development system.

General Description

PSBAT1P is a PL/N battery discharge subroutine written for the NT121 data terminal. This subroutine performs two functions:

1) It performs a deep discharge and recharge of the terminal.

2) It measures the storage capacity of the NICAD batteries by timing the time required to discharge the batteries when fully charged.

The capacity test takes twice as long to execute as the simple discharge and recharge function. This is because the batteries must be discharged and charged before the actual capacity test can be performed. The result of the capacity time is a percentage equal to the discharge time divided by eight hours. A value exceeding 80% indicates the batteries are still functioning adequately.

The deep discharge and charge function should be performed at least once a month to maintain the storage capacity of the batteries. The capacity measurement function may be performed when convenient.

It is required that the NT121 remain on charge while the subroutine is executing. If it is taken off charge, an error message will be displayed and program execution will stop. Volatile data in the 121 will be maintained during the deep discharge provided that the unit is not taken off charge while in the low battery mode.

Power-up

When IPSDISP has been called from a main program the following message will be seen in the display:

Prompt:

BATT. DISCHARGER

IPSDISP Vx.x

Action:

Press <ENTER> to proceed or press <SKIP> to halt program execution and return to the monitor program.

Prompt: EXIT PROGRAM?

Action:

Press <ENTER> if it is desired that program execution is to be terminated or press <SKIP> to proceed.

Prompt: CAPACITY TEST?

Action:

To measure the capacity of the batteries, press <ENTER>. Press <SKIP> if this is not desired.

Prompt: CURR TIME:hhmmss

Action:

The current time is displayed in HHMMSS format. If no change in the time is desired just press <ENTER>. Otherwise enter the desired time in HHMMSS format. No mod checks are performed on this newly entered time. Make sure that the unit is on charge. This test will terminate if the 121 is removed from the not placed back on charge within 30 seconds.

Prompt: R CH RG TIME:nnnnn

This prompt will appear only when the capacity test has been selected. The contents of the battery charge timer will be displayed and updated every 5.5 seconds until its value is zero (full charge). The value of the RTC will be read and stored. This test will terminate if the 121 is removed from and not placed back on charge within 30 seconds.

Prompt: DISCHARGING.

This prompt indicates the 121 is currently discharging its batteries. This will continue until LB2 becomes active (batteries discharged). The LOW BATT flag on indicates that the unit is discharging and the blinking SHIFT flag indicates the unit is active. This test will terminate if the 121 is removed from and not placed back on charge within 30 seconds.

Prompt: RECHARGING.

This prompt indicates that the 121 has reached LB2. The value of the RTC is then read and saved. The unit will start to charge its batteries until LB1 becomes inactive (not low battery). The blinking SHIFT flag indicates the unit is active. When LB1 becomes inactive the RTC is then read and saved. This test will terminate if the 121 is removed from and not placed back on charge within 30 seconds.

Prompt: S TIME: hhmmss

Action:

The 121 no longer checks if it is on charge. If it is the user's responsibility to ensure that the unit remains on charge until the LOW BATT flag is turned off in order for the batteries to fully benefit from this test. The time stored at the beginning of the test is displayed in HHMMSS format. Press <ENTER> to proceed.

Prompt: LB2 TIME: hhmmss

Action:

The time where LB2 became active is displayed. Press <ENTER> to proceed.

Prompt: LB1 TIME: hhmmss

Action:

The time where LB1 became inactive is displayed. Press <ENTER> to continue.

Prompt: % CAPACITY: nnn

Action:

This prompt will appear only if the capacity test was selected. It is a percentage of:

-(time taken to discharge the batteries from a full charge)/eight hours.

Press <ENTER> to proceed.

When either the capacity or conditioning tests are executing and the 121 is removed from charge the following message will be displayed.

Prompt: CHARGER:

Action:

If the unit is placed back on charge within 30 seconds the test will continue. If it is not an error message will be displayed.

Prompt: TEST ABORTED.

Action.

Press <ENTER> to proceed to the `EXIT PROGRAM?` prompt.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LISTING OF THE SUBROUTINE PSBAT1P

The following listing has the heading: "PSBAT1P: 121 BATTERY DISCHARGE & CYCLE PLN VER 2.8 03/23/84 12:41: 49", and is generally outlined as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     0-5                                                                               "$ PSBAT1P; 121 BATTERY DISCHARGE & CYCLE                                   SUBROUTINE PSBAT1P                                                             VERSION 0016"                                                                  6-28 HISTORY                                                                   07/07/83                                                                            Under this data a                                                              first programmer                                                               is shown as author                                                             of a program entitled                                                          "121 BATTERY DISCHARGE                                                         PROGRAM"                                                                  07/13/83                                                                            "REMOVED THE CODE THAT ALLOWED THE USER TO                                     MODIFY THE BATTERY CHARGE TIMER."                                         08/01/83                                                                            Under this data a second                                                       programmer has the note:                                                       "PSBAT1P CREATED"                                                         11/21/83                                                                            On November 21, 1983, there is a notation by                                   a third programmer                                                             COPY FILE PCURCNP CHANGED, THIS CODE WAS FIXED TO                              REFLECT THE CHANGES. REMOVED PROGRAM HEADER,"                             03/23/84                                                                            On March 23, 1984, a fourth programmer makes                                   the following entry into the program history:                                  "MODIFIED SO THAT THE SYSTEM DRIVER IS NOT NEEDED.                             IT WAS ONLY USED TO DETERMINE WHEN FULL CHARGE                                 WAS ACCOMPLISHED. THIS IS NOW DONE BY DETERMINING                              IF THE INTERPRETER IS CURRENTLY CHARGING THE BATTERIES.                        IF NOT, TEST TO SEE IF IT IS BECAUSE THE CHARGE                                POWER HAS BEEN REMOVED. IF IT HAS NOT,                                         THEN THE PRECHARGE IS COMPLETE. THE DISPLAY OF TIME                            NOW INCREMENTS BY TENTHS INSTEAD OF DECREMENTS BY                              MINUTES."                                                                 29-33    EXTERNALS NUMERIC FUNCTION INPUT                                      34-45    PSBAT1P   PROGRAM CONSTANTS                                           46-72    PCINCNP   INPUT CONTROL ATTRIBUTES                                     74-101  PCHRCNP   CHARACTER AND KEY DEFINITIONS                               102-152  PCKBCNP   KEYBOARD OPEN MODES, GET AND                                                   PUT CONTROL OPTIONS                                         153-200  PCURCNP   URTIO GET AND PUT CONTROL                                   207-200  PCKBCMP   REQUIRED IF `INPUT` FUNCTION                                                   AND/OR `PRINT` SUBROUTINE ARE                                                  LINKED WITH APPLICATION                                     227-249  PCLKFDP   CLOCK FD AND BUFFER                                         306-341  PROCEDURE BATT TEST                                                   342-421  PROCEDURE DEEP DISCHARGE                                              422-449  PROCEDURE PLUG IN CHARGER                                             __________________________________________________________________________

EXCERPTS OF DETAILED LISTING OF SUBROUTINE PSBAT1P

A copy of the listing (except for locations 1-33 which are adequately indicated in the proceding section) is as follows: ##SPC1##

DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES OF AN EMBODIMENT SUCH AS SHOWN IN FIGS. 12-14

At the time of development of the circuit of FIG. 13, a preliminary summary of available functions and features of the system of FIGS. 12 and 13 was prepared. A copy of excerpts from an edited version of this summary, directed to the commercial Model 121 data terminal unit utilizing the circuit of FIG. 13, is found hereafter.

Preliminary Summary of Present Functions and Features of the 121. Semi Intelligent Battery Controller

The 121 Battery Controller coupled with existing real time clock and NSC-800 CPU integrates a maximum number of features with minimum circuit duplication for an extremely versatile yet low cost solution.

The controller is designed to match the NICAD-Battery characteristics with the 121 requirements and is software and user adjustable to match the customers changing needs.

The most outstanding features of this 121 battery controller combination are as follows:

** Conditioning Charge

The periodic use of this feature virtually eliminates the memory effect of voltage depression and extends normal battery service life @ 1 year. This is accomplished by a controlled deep discharge of both the main batteries and backups. Followed by a normal recharge for 12 hours then automatically switch to stand by charge.

** Capacity Test

The capacity of main and backup batteries can be measured to precisely indicate battery condition and determine when a conditioning charge is necessary or when batteries should be replaced. This is done by a full recharge (12 hours) followed by a controlled timed constant current deep discharge at a C/5 rate, where the capacity is measured by the NSC-800 processor and is displayed as % of full capacity available, followed by a regular charge.

* Charge Efficiency Test

Can be used to find optimum charge rate, charge time, or an indicator of poor battery performance. This test is performed by deep discharging the batteries followed by a timed constant current charge and a timed constant discharge, then the CPU calculates charge efficiency. A normal recharge cycle follows.

* Normal Recharge

A complete recharge is accomplished in 12 hours. At a constant current rate at C/8.3, recharge is controlled by the CPU and initiated by plugging unit into charger.

** Over-Charge Protection

This feature prevents over-charge if unit is continually plugged in and out from a charger such as in route accounting. In addition, when the unit is unplugged from a charger, the CPU will increment an elapsed time counter by a constant of two minutes for every minute off charge, until a maximum of 12 hours has been incremented, (six hours of real time). When returned to charger the CPU will decrement from the incremented amount to determine charge time. Maximum time of 12 hours is set whenever the unit has been turned off.

* Fuel Gauge Feature

From a full charge, (when the charge counter is at 0), the 121 can calculate operating time remaining. This is done by incrementing a counter by a constant for operating time and a constant for standby time to find the amp-hour drained from a fully charged battery pack.

* Variable Recharge Rate

A wide range of charge rates and times are under CPU control. Fast charge models could be made available with a resistor charge and appropriate software.

** Standby Holding Charge

This feature keeps the batteries at full charge ready for use by charging them at a C/100 rate. Control by the CPU.

** Charge Indicator

A positive indication of unit being plugged into charge is displayed regardless of on/off switch. Controlled by CPU.

* Remote control and diagnostics can be performed or telecom of battery parameters.

Battery testing and conditioning can be performed without an onsite inspection.

* Self Diagnostic Battery Testing Capability

Production--During manufacturing, units can be programmed to cycle batteries several times and measure their capacity to identify deflective units before they leave the plant.

Field Test - Battery condition can be easily checked by Field Service.

User Test - The customer can check the condition of his batteries.

** Temperature Protection Over-Under

Over and under temperature protection is an integral part of the battery pack reducing possible abuse and promoting longer battery life. Units will taper back charge rate at low temperature below 10° C. and cut back to trickle rates at high battery temperature above 55° C.

** Low Battery Indicator

Tells user when batteries must be recharged to prevent loss of memory data, giving the user a minimum of 30 minutes standby operation until recharge.

** Deep Discharge Indicator

During a discharge the controller tells CPU when batteries are completely discharged.

* All functions and features excluding (internal) temperature protection are under software control and thus can be modified for optimum performance throughout life.

** Battery pack hardware can accommodate 1/2D cells with only resistor changes from the 3/5C pack.

** The software and functions are the same with 1/2D or 3/5C cells so as to allow the changing of different packs if desired at a later date without changes internal to the 121 hardware or software.

** The present 121 design with the semi-intelligent battery controller remains hardware compatible with the "smart" battery pack.

Beyond this, the complete cost of all parts of the customer replaceable 121 semi-intelligent battery controller is less than $27 including four 3/5C cells. This is based on 100p quantities. Production quantities would represents a parts cost reduction.

    ______________________________________                                         Definition of 121 Battery Pack Control Lines                                   Charge Control (P 3-5)                                                         CHARGE CONTROL,     Standby charge                                                                 Rate c/100                                                 CHARGE CONTROL,     Full charge                                                                    Rate c/8.3                                                 Discharge (P 3-4)                                                              DISCHARGE,      Discharge is disabled                                                          LB1 is activated                                               DISCHARGE,      Discharge is enabled                                                           at a -c/5 rate                                                                 LB2 is now active                                              LB1/LB2 (P 3-1)                                                                LB1 is the low battery detect of 4.65 volts and is                             reset high at 5.4 V.                                                                   LB1, indicates low battery                                                     LB1, not low battery                                                   LB2 is the discharged detect of 3.8 volts and is reset                         high at 5.4 V.                                                                         LB2, indicates main and backups are completly                                  discharged                                                                     LB2, not discharged                                                    +BATT (P 3-2)                                                                  Normally +5 volts from 4 cell battery                                          -BATT (P 3-6)                                                                  Ground line                                                                    CHARGE                                                                         Is a constant current charge limited to .66 amp                                on the CPU board.                                                              ______________________________________                                         121 Semi-Intelligent Battery Controller                                        Operational Sequence of Required Features                                      CHARGE COUNTER                                                                           Is a software function to simplify battery                                     pack operational description.                                                (1) Charge counter enables the charge control                                      Charge counter > 0, charge control high                                        Charge counter = 0, charge control low                                     (2) Counter is decremented by real time to zero                                    when charge control is high.                                               (3) Counter is incremented by two times real time                                  up to a maximum of 12 hours whenever unit                                      is taken off charge while turned on.                                       (4) If the unit is turned off and not plugged                                      in to charge, then on power up, counter                                        will set to 12 hours.                                                      (5) Counter is set to 12 hours when LB1 or LB2 is pre-                             sent.                                                                      (6) Diacharge sets counter to zero.                                    NORMAL RECHARGE/                                                               OVER CHARGED PROTECTED                                                                 (1) When unit is plugged into charger and                                          charge counter is zero.                                                    (2) Charge control will always be low if                                           not plugged in to charge.                                          STAND-BY CHARGE                                                                        (1) When unit is plugged into charger                                              and charge counter is zero.                                        LOW BATT (DISPLAY)                                                                     (1) will be displayed during LB1 or LB2                                BATT RECHARGING (DISPLAY)                                                              (1) When plugged into charge it will always                                        be enabled in one of two modes.                                              (A) Will be on steady when charged counter                                         is zero, signifying a full charge or                                           that a user selectable function                                                is complete.                                                               (B) Will blink on and off when charge                                              counter is not zero or user selectable                                         function is in progress.                                         CHARGING FUNCTION AND STATUS                                                   (DISPLAY)                                                                                When unit is turned off or on and plugged                                      into charger if possible                                                     (1) Indicate if a user selectable function is in                                   progress and the time remaining to                                             end of function.                                                           (2) During normal recharge display the                                             charge counter time such as                                                  TIME TO FULL      FULL                                                         RECHARGE/  and    RECHARGE                                                     XX:XX             READY                                              *CONDITIONING CHARGE                                                                   (1) Key in "CONDITIONING CHARGE"                                               (2) Discharge until LB2                                                        (3) Display "CONDITIONING COMPLETE"                                    *CAPACITY TEST                                                                         (1) Key in "CAPACITY TEST"                                                     (2) Charge until charge counter is zero                                        (3) Discharge until LB2                                                        (4) Discharge time/s is the percent of full rated                                  capacity                                                                   (5) Display "XXX % CAPACITY                                                        AVAILABLE"                                                         ______________________________________                                          *USER SELECTABLE BATTERY FUNCTIONS These functions can only be started an      performed while charger is plugged in with unit turned on. If charger in       unplugged before function is complete, then cancel and display "TEST           INVALID".     * USER SELECTABLE BATTERY FUNCTIONS                        

These functions can only be started and performed while charger is plugged in with unit turned on. If charger is unplugged before function is complete, then cancel and display "TEST INVALID".

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT CORRESPONDING TO FIGS. 12-14 FOR CONDITIONING SPARE BATTERY PACKS

As previously explained the embodiment of FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 can represent a stationary battery conditioning system, for example for conditioning nickel cadmium battery packs of the Model 121 portable data terminal unit as described herein.

The following shows a copy of a preliminary summary of recommendations for a charger system to be used with spare battery packs for the Model 121.

The "smart" battery pack is shown by FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9A, 9B, 10 and 11 herein.

This report contains a preliminary summary of recommendations for a dual charger system to be used with spare NT121 battery packs.

Its intended use is to charge spare NT121 battery packs consistent with all functions and features of the NT121 controller combination to ensure equivalent life and reliability is achieved.

The applicable functions of the 121 battery charger are as follows:

Conditioning Charge

Capacity Test

Normal recharge

Over-charge Protection

Variable Recharge Rate

Standby Charge

Charge Indicator

Low Battery Indicator

Deep Discharge Indicator

Software Control

Hardware Control

Hardware Compatible with Smart Battery Pack.

Conditioning Charge

The periodic use of this feature virtually eliminates the memory effect of voltage depression and extends normal battery service life to one year. This is accomplished by a controlled deep discharge of both the main batteries and backups. This is followed by a normal recharge for 12 hours, then automatically switched to standby charge.

Capacity Test

The capacity of the battery pack can be measured precisely to indicate battery condition and can determine when batteries should be replaced. This is done by a full recharge (12 hours) followed by a constant current deep discharge at a C/8 rate where the capacity is measured and displayed as percent of full capacity or absolute capacity in amp hours. This is followed by a regular charge.

Normal Recharge

A complete recharge is accomplished in 12 hours at a constant current rate of C/8.3. Recharge is controlled by the CPU and initiated by the charge counter or the user.

Over-Charge Protection

This feature prevents over-charge and keeps the battery at a full charge. When the unit is unplugged from a power source, the CPU will increment an elapsed time counter by a constant of one minute for every 20 minutes off charge. Until a maximum of 12 hours has been reached (10 days of real time) when returned to a charge, the CPU will decrement from the incremented time to determine charge time. Maximum charge time of 12 hours is set whenever the batteries are removed from the holder.

Variable Recharge Rate

A wide range of charge rates and times are under CPU control. Fast charge models could be made available with a resistor charge and appropriate software.

Stand-by Holding Charge

This feature keeps the batteries at full charge ready for use by charging them at a C/100 rate. Control by the CPU.

Charge Indicator

A positive indication of unit being plugged into charge is displayed regardless of on/off switch. Controlled by CPU.

Full Charge Indication

To indicate to the user that the battery pack is fully charged and ready for use.

Low Battery Indicator

Indicates a dead battery. May not be required.

Deep Discharge Indication

Indicates a deep discharge is complete. May not be required.

Software Control

For ease of future modification if required. Hardare Compatible with the "smart" battery pack.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 15, 16A AND 16B

The general block diagram of FIG. 12, the more specific block diagram of FIG. 5, and the block diagram of FIG. 15 are all considered applicable to a preferred commercial implementation of the present invention whose relevant electric circuitry is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 16A and 16B. (FIG. 5 would have the label for block 20 changed to read RECHARGEABLE MAIN AND BACKUP BATTERY MEANS; and would have labels for blocks 91 and 92 of MAIN BATTERY VOLTAGE MONITOR and BACKUP BATTERY VOLTAGE MONITOR in order to more precisely represent the specific implementation of FIGS. 16A and 16B.) The physical appearance of a portable data system corresponding to the preferred commercial implementation is essentially represented in FIG. 1, while the basic appearance of the main battery pack is essentially as represented in FIG. 4. As best seen in FIG. 16B, a departure from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 11 resides in the provision of a main battery means indicated diagramatically at 16-20 and a backup battery means indicated at 16-21, the backup battery means preferably also being a rechargeable battery with the same nominal output voltage. In the illustrated arrangement of FIG. 16B, the main battery is connected via contact SWIA of a manually operated switch SW1 to a conductor MBATS. A fuse 16-22 may be contained within the battery pack housing represented by the dash line 16-23. Further, a temperature sensor component 16-24 for measuring ambient temperature is preferably contained within the housing 16-23 containing the main battery 16-20.

The relevant signals and conductors of the system of FIG. 15 are designated with the same symbols as the corresponding signals and conductors in FIGS. 16A and 16B for convenience in correlating these figures. It will be understood, however, that the specific implementation for component 15-10 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is given by way of preferred example only, and not by way of limitation.

Referring to FIG. 15, the power control component 15-10 shown at the upper central part of the figure, may include the specific circuits of FIGS. 16A and 16B, as a preferred exemplary instance. Thus, component 15-10 preferably includes main battery means, standby battery means, a charge voltage input circuit, a main battery charging circuit, a backup battery charging circuit, individual main and backup battery discharge circuits, regulator circuitry including a charging voltage regulating circuit, a main battery voltage regulating circuit and a backup battery regulating circuit, and a low power detection circuit.

A tabulation of the components of FIG. 15 is as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         15-10   Power Control circuitry (e.g. FIGS. 16A and                                    16B)                                                                   15-11   Analog to digital converter (e.g. type                                         ADC0838CCN of National Semiconductor Corp.                                     with differential configuration)                                       15-12   Telecom port for coupling e.g. to a modem                                      and a printer                                                          15-13   Buzzer (e.g. driven at 2048 hertz with                                         approximately a twenty percent duty cycle)                             15-14   Parallel Interface Adapter (e.g. type MC                                       146823 of Motorola, Inc.)                                              15-15   Red LED signal source (e.g. on keyboard 15-                                    16 to indicate when the unit is plugged into                                   a charger)                                                             15-16   Keyboard (e.g. as shown at 11 in FIG. 1)                               15-17   Real time clock (e.g. type 146818 driven by                                    a 32.768 kHz crystal)                                                  15-18   Read only memory (e.g. Intel compatible NMOS                                   EPROMS)                                                                15-19   Gate array (e.g. type SCX 6224 of National                                     Semiconductor Corp.)                                                   15-20   Static random access memory (e.g. CMOS RAM                                     for maximum battery life)                                              15-21   Scratch pad memory (e.g. a CMOS static RAM                                     chip with address decoding in the gate array                                   15-19 or a dynamic random access memory with                                   address decoding in the gate array 15-19)                              15-22   Dynamic random access memory (e.g. with                                        either seven bit or eight bit refresh)                                 15-23   Optional error correction circuit (ECC)                                15-24   Optional CMOS RAM data bus buffer (e.g. a                                      74HCT245 bidirectional buffer with TTL                                         compatible inputs for translating from                                         NMOS/TTL levels from the dynamic random                                        access memory 15-22 or from the NMOS                                           electrically programmable read only memory                                     15-18 to the CMOS levels for the central                                       processing unit 15-25).                                                15-25   Central processing unit (e.g. type NSC 800N                                    high-performance low-power microprocessor of                                   National Semiconductor Corp.)                                          15-26   Display module (e.g. a two line, 32-                                           character alphanumeric LCD display, with a                                     64 character set and eight programmable                                        characters)                                                            ______________________________________                                    

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC COMMERCIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF FIG. 15

An exemplary commercial embodiment in accordance with FIG. 15 is made up of four boards, a ROM board, a CPU board, a RAM board and a battery board, and also the LCD display module 15-26 and the keyboard module 15-16. The ROM, CPU, and RAM boards mate together via an eighty pin stake header system. The display module 15-26 is mounted on the CPU board and connects to the CPU 15-25 through a twenty-one pin ribbon cable. The keyboard 15-16 plugs into the ROM board via a seventeen pin stake header. The battery board connects to the CPU board via a six conductor pressure contact system such as indicated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 at 41, 51.

The CPU board contains all logic decoding for every device in the unit except for one three-to-eight decoder which is on the CMOS RAM board, and also contains power control circuitry such as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, interface circuitry for the communication port (component 15-12, FIG. 15) and components performing various other functions.

The central processing unit 15-25 in a specific implementation of FIG. 15 is of a type which combines the features of the Intel 8085 and the Zilog Z80 in P2CMOS technology. The CPU has direct addressing for 64K bytes of memory, 250 input/output devices, and five prioritized interrupts. The definition of the interrupts is given below.

NMI--DEBUG MONITOR

RSTA--PARALLEL INTERFACE ADAPTER

RSTB--REAL TIME CLOCK INTERRUPT

RSTC--KEYBOARD INTERRUPT

INTR--MEMORY ERROR.

Upon power up, the NSC800 CPU is reset for approximately 150 miliseconds and then begins execution from ROM component 15-18 at address 000H. The processor frequency is programmable. The CPU clock can be stopped in a CMOS version to conserve power. Further detail concerning the NSC800 can be found in National Semiconductor's "NSC800 Microprocessor Handbook".

The gate array component 15-19 is designed to minimize the number of integrated circuits in the unit and to maximize its flexibility. The gate array is a type 6224 chip which contains memory mapping registers that expand the total address capabilities of the NSC800. Other major features include a self-scanning keyboard circuit, logic decoding for all devices in the unit, and processor frequency control circuitry.

The parallel interface adapter chip on the CPU board contains three eight-bit programmable input/output ports A, B and C. Port A controls the battery charge/discharge functions, battery select functions, and power control for the analog to digital converter 15-11. Port B contains three bits for communication to the A/D converter 15-11, a buzzer port and four bits for telecommunications (via component 15-12). Port C has one bit for controlling LED light source 15-15 on the keyboard 15-16 to indicate that the charger is plugged in, and seven bits used for telecommunications (via component 15-12). The top four bits of Port C can also be programmed as interrupts which are brought into the NSC800 at the RSTA input. Reference may be made to Motorola's 146823 PIA specification for more detail.

All digital integrated circuits are regulated at 4.65 volts for normal operation. The regulation circuit of component 15-10 is designed to run independently either from a charger, from a main battery, or from a backup battery. This is accomplished through PA0 and PA3 on the PIA chip 15-14. In the event that the regulated voltage falls below 4.65 volts, the signal LP (complement) from component 15-10 goes low and brings both the main and backup batteries on line. This signal (LP) will also "wake up" the system through gate array 15-19 if it was previously in a low power mode. The processor component 15-25 can read the state of the line LP from a port of the gate array 15-19.

In the CMOS version, the 4.65 volt regulation circuit can be switched to regulate at 2.5 volts via the line LOW PWR which originates at the gate array 15-19 and shifts the reference voltage of the regulation circuit of component 15-10.

Component 15-11 comprises a serial, differentially configured analog to digital converter. The parameters measured are main battery voltage, backup battery voltage, charger voltage, and main battery temperature. This information is used by the processor 15-25 to conrol battery charge/discharge cycles and to alert the end user of low battery conditions.

The differntial mode of component 15-11 effectively increases the resolution to nine bits (512 steps) from eight bits (256 steps) over a given range of measurement. However, in the differential mode, two channels are required per parameter to be measured as opposed to one channel in a single-ended mode. Each of the parameters and its associated channels are given below.

    ______________________________________                                         PARAMETER         CHANNELS                                                     ______________________________________                                         CHARGE VOLTAGE    0,1                                                          TEMPERATURE       2,3                                                          BACKUP BATTERIES  4,5                                                          MAIN BATTERIES    6,7                                                          ______________________________________                                    

One channel associated with each parameter is tied directly to the 2.5 volt reference (VR). These channels are 1,3, 5 and 7. With this setup, the voltage span on channels 0, 2, 4 and 6 is two times VR (5.00 volts), or the supply voltage of the A/D converter 15-11, whichever is at a lower voltage. Since the supply to the A/D converter is regulated to 4.65 volts, it becomes the upper limit for all channels.

The A/D converter 15-11 is read serially on Port B of the PIA chip 15-14, and is powered up or down by a bit on Port A. When the A/D converter is powered down (PA6=0), the control lines to the A/D converter on Port B should be at logic zero (0).

A reading of the A/D converter commences by bringing a pin (PB0) of the PIA to a low state, and then supplying from a further pin (PB1) of the PIA a clock signal for clocking into the A/D converter the proper channel and mode (differential) (via PIA pin PB2). The clock signal to the A/D converter must hvae a 40/60 duty cycle minimum. Next, the A/D converter is reprogrammed to supply a channel reading to the PIA (at pin PB2).

If a 00H is read from a channel of the A/D converter, (such as channel 0) then the other channel of that pair must be read (channel 1 in this case). If both channels read zero, then the parameter is at the midpoint of its range.

In the ROM board, each ROM socket has associated jumpers to allow the use of 8K bytes, 16K bytes, 32K bytes, and 64K bytes Intel compatible NMOS EPROMs. Each ROM socket can also handle a SEEQ compatible 8K byte EPROM. In this mode, the particular ROM socket is set up as a 8K byte EPROM.

Each ROM in the commercial unit can be powered up or powered down under software control to conserve power. The ROMs must be NMOS type or be able to withstand being over-driven on all of the pins in the power down mode. Each ROM receives its power through a saturated switch which is controlled through the MMU registers in the gate array 15-19.

The real time clock 15-17 provides time-of-day functions for the commercial unit and also a 8192 Hz square wave for driving circuitry in the gate array 15-19 on the CPU board. A programmable interrupt is available from the real time clock to the RSTB input of the CPU 15-25. The real time clock chip 15-17 is driven by a crystal 15-30 and may be adjusted by means of a variable capacitor.

The buzzer circuit 15-13 on the ROM board is controlled by softward through PB7 on the PIA chip 15-14 of the CPU board. Software should drive the buzzer 15-13 at 2048 Hz with approximately a twenty percent duty cycle (PB7=1). The buzzer signal is inverted by a PNP transistor that drives the charge jack (J6, FIG. 16A) to allow an external buzzer to be connected to the commercial unit.

An optional LED component 15-15 can be added to the keyboard 15-16. A transistor and current limiting resistors are added to the ROM board for controlling this LED. The transistor is turned on by making PC0=1 of the PIA chip 15-14 on the CPU board.

A 17 pin socket is provided on the ROM board for keyboard attachment. A backlight control signal is brought up to this socket in case an electroluminescent panel is used on the keyboard 15-16. The signals on this connector originate from the gate array 15-19 on the CPU board.

The DRAM board has two banks of RAM that accept 64K by one bit or 256K by one bit chips with either 7-bit or 8-bit refresh. Loading is customer dependent.

For maximum data integrity, an optional error correction circuit 15-23 can be loaded onto the RAM board. If the error correction circuit is loaded, then each bank of RAM of component 15-22 must also be loaded with four extra DRAMs to store the parity code. The circuit 15-23 will detect and correct all single bit errors and also alert the CPU component 15-25, in this case on the INTR interrupt.

The bidirectional buffer 15-24 is provided with TTL compatible inputs on the RAM board and is used to translate the data bus from NMOS/TTL levels from the DRAM component 15-22, and from the NMOS ROM component 15-18 of the ROM board to CMOS levels for the CPU component 15-25 on the CPU board. Also, the buffer 15-24 unloads the data bus from the CPU component 15-25, which minimizes propagation delays to the gate array 15-19.

A 2K byte or 8K byte CMOS RAM chip forms component 15-21 and is loaded on the DRAM board to provide "scratch pad area" for the system software. Jumpers are included to switch between the 2K or 8K device. If an 8K byte device is loaded, 4K bytes of this are available. The address decoding for this chip 15-21 is done in the gate array 15-19.

An option in the commercial unit is a completely static CMOS RAM board as component 15-20. This provides maximum battery life for the customer. There are eight positions for 8K byte CMOS RAM chips for a total of 64K bytes maximum. Loading is customer dependent. Decoding is provided by a three to eight demultiplexer.

The same data bus buffer of component 15-24 is loaded on the CMOS RAM board and serves as a translator from NMOS EPROMs to CMOS levels for the CPU component 15-25.

The CMOS RAM board has the same option for scratch pad RAM as the DRAM board previously discussed.

The main battery pack (16-25, FIG. 16B) has a printed circuit board inside with a six conductor flex cable for mating to the CPU board. Also on this board is a LM35 temperature sensor 16-24 for monitoring battery temperature during charge cycles. A one microfarad capacitor (C1, FIG. 16B) is across the LM35 component 16-24 to filter out noise. The LM35 is read by the A/D converter 15-11 on the CPU board.

A custom LCD module for component 15-16 is available from Seiko and plugs into the CPU board. This module is temperature compensated for minus twenty degrees centigrade to sixty degress centigrade operation. The module provides two by sixteen dot matrix display with self-scanning features. Also in the module are four annunciators that are controlled by a LCD driver chip on the CPU board.

The commercial unit is set up to handle a forty key keyboard configured as a five by eight matrix. At the present time, a 39 key and a 20 key option are available for keyboard component 15-16. A LED 15-15 may be loaded onto the keyboard to indicate various functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 16A AND 16B

At the charge input (J6, FIG. 16A) on the CPU board, a circuit comprising components Q2, Z4 and VR1 prevents the voltage at the charge input from reaching the direct current to direct current converter circuit 16-1 unless the charge input voltage exceeds 7.5 volts. This charge input cutout circuit provides the following functions.

(a) The buzzer circuit on the ROM board can drive the charge line J1-11 with a two kilohertz, zero to five volts swing and thus allow double duty of the charge jack J6.

(b) The circuit limits the in-rush current to less than two amperes so as not to blow the one ampere fuse F1 at the charge input.

(c) The charge input circuit insures that the charge/discharge circuits 16-2, 16-3 and 16-4, 16-5 do not power up until the charge voltage exceeds the maximum battery voltages.

The input cutout circuit is comprised of pass transistor Q2, 6.2 volt Zener diode Z4, and regulator VR1. When charge input voltage reaches approximatey 7.5 volts, Z4 conducts and turns on Q2, which saturates. The voltage regulator VR1 limits the current through Z4 and thus limits the gain of Q2.

The charger input voltage on the CPU board is regulated down to 7.2 volts by a switching direct current to direct current converter 16-1. This converter provides up to 750 milliamperes with a wide input voltage range of ten volts to twnety volts.

The regulated 7.2 volts of the DC/DC converter 16-1 feeds the linear V+ regulation circuit 16-6 (FIG. 16B) and the battery charge/discharge circuits. When the unit is turned off, (at switch SW1, FIG. 16B) pin 6 of the component RC 4192 NB in the circuit 16-1 is pulled low to keep the converter 16-1 powered down.

Incorporated onto the CPU board is circuitry to charge or discharge the main and backup batteries independently. These circuits maximize the life of the batteries and give the end user a means by which to measure the capacity of each battery set. The battery charge functions are controlled through port A of the PIA chip 15-14.

The main battery set indicated at 16-20 in FIG. 16B (at the lower left), which is rated at 2.2 amperes, is set up to charge at a 275 milliampere rate (C/8). This is accomplished by making PA4=0 and PA5=0 on the PIA chip 15-14. When the main batteries are charging, operational amplifier U6 (shown at the lower part of FIG. 16A at the left) is set up as a constant current source by forcing the collector of Q8 to 0.275 volt above the battery voltage. The floating voltage reference Z1 senses Q8 collector voltage and then effectively subtracts 0.275 volts across R33 which is then fed back to the inverting input of op-amp U6. The noninverting input of U6 closes the loop by sensing the main battery voltage. Constant current source VR5 limits the battery drain through Z1 which is especially important in the CMOS version of the commercial unit.

The main batteries can be made to discharge at a constant C/8 rate by making PA5=1 and PA4=1 of the PIA chip 15-14. This turns on Q10 and allows VR2 to act as a constant current sink.

The backup batteries indicated at 16-21 at the lower left part of FIG. 16B (rated at 225 milliampere hours) can be made to charge under software control at a C/8 rate by making PA1=1 and PA2=0 on the PIA chip 15-14. This saturates Q12, and VR3 acts as a constant current source to the backup batteries 16-21, FIG. 16B.

The backup batteries 16-21 can discharge at a constant current of C/8 by making PA2=1 and PA1=0 at the PIA component 15-14. This saturates Q14, allowing VR4 to act as a constant current sink.

Both the main and backup batteries will trickle charge at a C/100 rate if they are not in a charge or discharge cycle and the 7.2 volt DC/DC converter 16-1 is within regulation. This is accomplished by switching different resistors into the current sources that feed the main and backup batteries, which is done automatically when the particular set of batteries is taken off a C/8 charge.

All the digital integrated circuits of the system of FIG. 15 are regulated at 4.65 volts for normal operation. This is accomplished by operational amplifier U7A, FIG. 16B, pass transistors Q21, Q22 and Q23, and voltage reference 22 (shown at the central left of FIG. 16B). The regulation circuit 16-6 is designed to run independently off either the charger input voltage at J6 (at the upper left of FIG. 16A), main battery voltage, or backup battery voltage. This is accomplished through PA0 and PA3 of the PIA chip 15-14. In the event that the regulated voltage falls below 4.65 volts, the output of comparator U7B (at the middle right part of FIG. 16B) goes low and brings both the main and backup batteries on line. The output of comparator U7B will also "wake up" the system via the line LP through the gate array 15-19 if the system was previously in a low power mode. Software can also read the state of this signal through port 2 of the gate array 15-19. In the CMOS version of the commercial unit, the 4.65 volt regulation circuit 16-6 can be switched to regualte at 2.5 volts by bringing the LOW PWR signal high, which turns on Q15 (shown at the center left of FIG. 16B) and thus shifts the reference voltage of the regulation circuit. The conductor LOW PWR (which produces the signal LOW PWR-A at Q15) is controlled through the gate array 15-19.

As explained with reference to FIG. 15, the commercial unit has incorporated a serial, differentially configured analog to digital converter and this converter is shown at 15-11 in the lower right corner of FIG. 16B. The parameters measured are main battery voltage, backup battery voltage, charger voltage, and main battery temperature. This information is used by software to control battery charge/discharge cycles and to alert the end user of low battery conditions.

As previously explained, one channel for each parameter is tied directly to the 2.5 volt voltage reference which is shown at Z6 at the lower right of FIG. 16B. With this setup, the voltage span on channels 0, 2, 4, and 6 of converter 15-11 is twice the voltage across Z6 of 5.00 volts, or else the supply voltage of the converter (at VCC), whichever is at a lower voltage. Since the supply to the converter 15-11 is regulated to 4.65 volts, this value becomes the upper limit for all channels.

Converter 15-11 is controlled from the PIA chip 15-14 as previously explained. The CS line connects with PB0 of the PIA, while A/D CLK connects to PB1 and DI/DO connects with PB2.

In order to read voltages greater than the regulated supply (VCC) of the converter 15-11, voltage dividers are used to scale down the battery channels and charge voltage channels.

As previously mentioned, the main battery 16-20 and temperature sensor 16-24 are not on the CPU board, certain of the six connector means being designated P3-1, P3-2 and P3-3, these connector means connecting with locations J7-1, J7-2 and J7-3 of the CPU board as indicated diagrammatically at J7 at the lower left of FIG. 16B. The backup battery 16-21 may be readily removable and replaceable from the CPU board in a conventional manner as indicated at JP-1 and JP-2 in FIG. 16B. The temperature sensor may be a LM335AZ and may have a suitable capacitance value connected thereacross as indicated at C1 to filter out noise.

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 15, 16A AND 16B

The present embodiment of FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B, departs from the initial embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 11 in that all of the circuitry is removed from internal to the battery pack with the exception of the temperature sensing element 16-24. This allows for a considerable decrease in cost of the expendable battery pack 16-23.

Furthermore, in comparison to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 11, the present embodiment replaces the several comparators and many precision costly components that were in the battery pack with the analog to digital converter 15-11 on the CPU board.

In the illustrated embodiment, complete isolation is provided of the main and backup batteries for reliable back-up run time and operational life.

A special lower power sensing technique is provided utilizing the operational amplifiers U7A and U7B, FIG. 16B.

The battery charging and power handling algorithms such as represented in FIG. 14 may be embodied in firmware to achieve optimum flexibility, operational run time and battery life. These algorithms have been explained in relation to FIGS. 12-14, and will be further explained in the following.

Unit operation is derived from any one or all three available power sources.

The all electronic isolation and power switching is accomplished through a very low power regulator circuit 16-6. Electronic isolation and switching control provides the unit with the features of reliable back battery run time, and precise charging and discharging control of the main and backup batteries. The same power control circuit is quite flexible and can be used with nickel cadmium, zinc-carbon, lead acid and alkaline batteries, or with capacitors as a power source. Batteries are controlled by their deselection through two bits on the PIA port. The charge is essentially always selected.

The first power source is the main battery 16-20 consisting of four 1/2 D 2.2 ampere hour rechargable nickel cadmium cells connected in series. This provides an operating voltage range of from 4.65 to 7.5 volts with five volts nominal.

The second power source is the backup battery 16-21 comprised of four 1/3 Af 0.225 ampere hour nickel cadmium cells connected in series. This second power source also has an operating voltage range of from 4.65 to 7.5 volts with five volts nominal.

Last, the charge input source will power the unit and recharge its batteries from a wide voltage range, for example, with a portable unit connected at times into a vehicle electrical system. The wide charge input range, and elimination of the need for large costly heat sinks is made possible by a small size, high efficiency DC/DC converter 16-1 incorporated into the portable unit. A range of 9 to 24 volts input is supported. The current is fifty milliamperes for the 24 volt input and is 650 milliamperes at a nine volt input value.

The heart of the regulator circuit 16-6 is a TLC27L2BC micropower dual operational amplifier (U7A, U7B, FIG. 16B). The regulator circuit itself consumes only thirty microamperes of current but can provide the system with 500 milliamperes of current from either battery or charge input (J6, FIG. 16A). The regulator circuit 16-6 can be operated from four to ten volts and is switchable not only from different supplies but also from a set point value of 4.65 volts to a low power mode set point of 2.5 volts. The regulator has a very low dropout voltage (even for high currents) of only fifty millivolts over the regulated output voltage range. This combined with the low 4.65 volt regulation voltage allows the most power possible to be efficiently removed from a set of four nickel cadmium batteries which have an end-of-discharge voltage of 4.7 volts for GE batteries at the terminal load levels.

There are two major regulation modes of system operation that can be selected under firmware control with several minor modes within them. Normal operation with dynamic RAM as shown at 15-22, FIG. 15, is with the system under power at 4.65 volts. The microprocessor clock is runing at various speeds providing refresh to the memory array 15-22. The clock can also be stopped at the 4.65 volts type of regulation mode to use self refreshing dynamic RAM. The other mode of operation is the lower power, power down mode which operates with a standby voltage of 2.5 volts. It is used only with CMOS static RAM, as represented by component 15-20, FIG. 15

LOW POWER DETECTION

One of the most unique functions is the method in which low power is detected. The same circuit 16-6 detects low power from either battery power or for the case of power supplied by a charging source connected at J6, FIG. 16A. This lower power condition is sensed by measuring the regulator output voltage of the operational amplifier U7A which is common to all driver sources/switches of FIG. 16B. Under normal operation this voltage is between 0.3 volt and 0.8 volt where the field effect transistors Q16, Q17 and Q18 are implemented as type TNO106N3 N-channel MOS field effect transistors with low gate threshold voltage. When a low power condition is sensed by U7A, its ouput voltage will rise to a maximum value; for example when the power source that the unit has selected is removed or goes low such as occurs when the unit is taken off its charger, or a battery is going dead with its voltage dropping off. When the output of U7A rises to or above 2.7 volts, the circuit produces a low power logical output signal via U7B of low power detector 16-7. The 2.7 volts produced at the output of U7A is far outside the range of normal operation and provides a simple reliable solution for detecting low battery within the regulator circuit 16-6. This otherwise is a complex problem requiring a low battery voltage sensing circuit with many precision components to make the threshold for sensing the low voltage condition close to the regulation voltage, for optimum utilization of the battery. Such a circuit utilizing many precision components may be plagued by a susceptibility to circuit noise problems causing false triggering of the low voltage detection circuit.

LOW POWER SELECT

When operating in the 4.65 volt mode, if a low power condition is detected by regulating circuit 16-6, the output of the detection op-amp U7B will be low. This low signal on Q19 and Q20 will turn them off, in turn switching on both main and backup batteries. At this time all sources are hardware selected regardless of software selections at the PIA ports.

The low power signal is available to the main processor 15-25 through the gate array input port ECN3 which is connected to the signal line LP from the power control 15-10. The processor would then interrogate the power sources thorugh A/D converter 15-11, determine what had occurred and make the new selection. In the low power mode, the operation is the same but the processor clock may be stopped. Because of this, the gate array 15-19 (in the particular embodiment illustrated) performs a wake up function started by the low power signal which appears at port NMI of the gate array.

CHARGE AND DISCHARGE CIRCUITRY

The unit includes a set of constant current charge and discharge circuits for each battery to provide precise charging, capacity measurement, and battery conditioning functions.

The main battery charge circuit features a special very low dropout (0.5 volt) constant current regulator circuit 16-2 that derives its sensing feedback from the positive side of the main battery 16-20. This low dropout current regulator operating from the DC/DC seven volt REG input gives high efficiency charging, eliminating the need again for large heat sink means in a portable unit. Other low drop out constant current battery charging circuits put the sense resistor in the negative ground leg which floats the battery off ground by the IR voltage drop across the resistor. This voltage drop lowers the effective useful battery voltage. It can be made a small value but then would require precision components to sense the low voltage condition especially at low charging currents. For this reason this technique is prone to noise problems or low precision. The charge rate is software selectable between the C/8 and the C/100 rate.

Backup battery constant current charging is also software selectable between C/8 and C/100 rates. This charging circuit 16-3 senses the current in the positive lead of the backup battery 16-21 for feedback. This feature is accomplished with only six low-cost small-size components.

Both the main and backup batteries have connected to them the same design of constant current discharge circuitry. Each uses a simple three terminal regulator (i.e. regulators 16-4 and 16-5) for controlling the battery discharge cycle. This function is software selectable for doing timed discharges for measuring battery capacity and is also used for deep discharging for conditioning each of the batteries.

ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER

The unit uses a nine bit resolution converter 15-11 as previously described, connected to the PIA component 15-14. As previously explained, four parameters can be read by the processor 15-25 and the information used to set the operating mode and battery handling algorithm. The precise temperature of the main battery can be measured. Its value is also used to determine the control of the backup battery and system run speed. Charging voltage is measured to detect when a reliable voltage range can be used by the unit for charging of the batteries. Main and backup battery voltage can be accurately measured to +/- twenty millivolts through the A/D converter 15-11. The measured voltages are used for the battery control algorithms to be explained further with reference to FIG. 17 of the drawings.

OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM OF FIGS. 15, 16A AND 16B

To provide the user with the longest run time while maintaining functionality, the unit incorporates a sophisticated energy management system. A basic purpose is to reduce the operational power consumption of the unit without hindering the unit's normal intended operation. For the most part the energy management operation is transparent to the user. The operational run time is quite dependent on actual implementation of this function. For DRAM units this is a factor of three, and for CMOS it could be as high as one thousand.

Power conservation in the unit is handled by operating it in the most power efficient manner to accomplish the task. For the most part, run speed is reduced, or functions are turned off when not in use. A special case of this is with the CMOS unit in the sleep mode where the clock is stopped.

For DRAM or CMOS units the object is to maximize the amount of run time at the slowest allowable standby speed which is reduced by a factor of 1/32 for DRAM and by a factor of 1/128 for CMOS. When a task is to be performed it should be done as quickly as possible at 1/1 speed, and the unit can then returned to standby speed. If the task requires the unit to be operating at a faster than normal standby speed while waiting for an occurrence then this speed should be as slow as practical for the application.

A very important power conserving mode that is only used for CMOS versions is power down sleep mode. In this mode the CPU clock is stopped with data memory retained. The keyboard 15-16 is active as is the real time clock 15-17. To indicate that the unit is still turned on and in this mode, the shift annunciator of display 15-26 is left on. To wake up the system from this mode and restore normal operation, the user need only to press any key of keyboard 15-16.

The full speed and especially the waiting time from standby to power down must be as short as possible because it can so affect battery run time. This can make the difference between an operational time of the unit of a few hours, and an operational time of over a year. This waiting time requirement is both application and user dependent. A programmable waiting time with a default value of 1/3 of a minute can meet all application and system requirements. Through a shifted key function, the waiting time could be adjusted in seconds on a temporary twenty minute basis by the user; this being the manner in which the back light function is now handled. The default value should also be programmable according to the application.

FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES

All functions and features are implemented from calculations based on five key measured or determined parameters which are as follows:

(1) System Configuration

Upon power up, the type of RAM and size are determined and saved for use with internal loading calculations. External devices which are operated from the unit's battery are accounted for on an as-used basis.

(2) Real Time Clock (15-17, FIG. 15)

The clock is used with internal loading, charging and capcity testing functions.

(3) Temperature Measurement

Main battery temperature is used to calculate charging rates and times, and also controls the setting for the minimum standby run speed for lowest power consumption.

(4) Charge Voltage

The charging voltage at input J6, FIG. 16A, is measured to detect the charging mode and to insure that the charging voltage is in a usable range for battery charging or unit operation.

(5) Battery Voltage

Both main and backup battery voltages are available for use in CPU calculations to determine system status and operation.

Fuel Gauge--As part of normal operation the unit keeps track of remaining capacity. This information can be made available to the user in the form of a run time fuel gauge display on module 15-26. This display is made available to the user through a shifted key function.

Run Time Remaining--This can be calculated from remaining capacity and battery voltage, providing remaining run time until low battery is expected. This could be handled as a shifted key function and run time displayed in hours and minutes.

Normal Recharge--A complete recharge is accomplished in eleven hours for the main and backup batteries at room temperature. The normal charge rate for both batteries is at the C/8 rate and is controlled by the CPU component 15-25.

Over-Charge Protection--This feature promotes longer battery life by preventing unnecessary over charge in route accounting where the unit is continually plugged in and out from a charger. Where the unit is removed from charge, it keeps track of the power removed from the battery that is selected. When returned to a charger, the CPU will calculate the power to be returned to the battery. It will then set the charge time based on the amount of charge removed and the recharging temperature.

Over-Under Temperature Protection--As a protection from permanent damage or degradation, the unit at high temperature (seventy degrees centigrade) will cut off charging, and will start to taper off the charge rate at low temperatures below ten degrees centigrade down to minus twenty degrees centigrade, at which temperature charging stops.

Variable Recharge Rate--The wide range of recharge rates is under CPU control for optimum charging under all operating conditions.

Standby Holding Charge--This feature keeps the batteries at full charge ready for use by charging them at C/100 rate controlled by the CPU component 15-25.

Charging Indicator--A positive indication that the unit is plugged into a charger and is charging may be provided as indicated at 15-15 in FIG. 15.

Capacity Test/Periodic Maintenance--The capacity of each battery can be measured to precisely indicate its condition so that the user can determine when batteries should be replaced. The required periodic use of this feature virtually eliminates the memory effects and voltage depression. This preventative maintenance does a complete test of both battery power systems to insure reliable operation and guaranteed run time without loss of RAM data. In addition, its use will extend normal battery service life to apporximately one year. This is required every two months to guarantee battery life and run time. This is done by normal recharging being first completed, followed by a timed constant current deep discharge at a C/8 rate. With discharge time and rate known, the processor calculates the capacity. The capacity is displayed in minutes of a normal eight hour rated capacity. If this capacity is less than the entered or the default (eighty percent) of rate value, the unit will start a new capacity test and retry until the minimum value is reached, or until the test has been executed three times. The number of retries can be selected by the user, or can be programmed according to the application. Also, the test can be started by the user, or initiated by automatic programming according to the application.

Low Battery Indicator--When the unit is being charged, the low battery indicator signifies when the recharging process has been completed for both batteries. When the unit is off of charge, the low battery indicator advises the user when the batteries are low and need to be recharged to prevent loss of data. Once in low battery, the user is given ten percent of the backup battery capacity in slow speed operation, after which time the keyboard 15-16 is locked out. In low battery condition, the unit will activate any internal or external loads to finish a limited transaction such as printing a ticket or doing a charge coupled device reading operation (e.g. by means of a bar code reader). The unit run time in low battery before and after lockout is dependent on system loading and usage. The time before lockout will be about ten minutes and low battery run time before memory loss will be about one hour with DRAM units. With a CMOS unit, the time periods could be ten times the values just given for DRAM units. If the backup battery is low, with the main battery charged, the system will give the user a system error code telling him not to remove the main battery pack, but to get the unit to a charger and download RAM data. The user can expect one hour of standby time after low battery is reached.

Deep Discharge Indicator--During a discharge cycle, the CPU measures the battery voltage and determines when the batteries have been completely discharged.

Overvoltage Indicator--This tells the CPU when the batteries are not accepting a charge; such condition being detected by the presence of a high charge voltage profile across the battery terminals.

Self Diagnostic Battery Testing--The power system testing is available in all units and can be used to identify defective units in manufacturing before delivery. Also battery condition can be easily checked by field service, and most importantly, by the customer.

Transparent conditioning deep discharge--If a battery has gone into low battery condition, the user can be prompted by means of display 15-26 when the unit is returned to charge if a conditioning deep discharge should be performed on that battery since at this time it will take little extra recharging time to effect such conditioning. The conditioning cycle comprises a deep discharge of the battery followed by a normal recharge thereof.

The following tables D, E1, E2 and E2 will summarize operations of the system during recharging and during portable operation with power from the charging source removed.

                                      TABLE D                                      __________________________________________________________________________     RECHARGING                                                                     __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR15##                                                                     CC = FULL CHARGED CAPACITY AT TEMPERATURE                                      RC = REMAINING CAPACITY IN BATTERY                                             CE = CHARGE EFFICIENCY                                                         DC = CHARGE DUTY CYCLE                                                         RC MAIN =  2.2 AH-POWER REMOVED                                                BACK = .175 AH-POWER REMOVED                                                   CC =        25° C. OR LESS                                                                   GREATER THAN 25° C.                                            MAIN  2.2 AH                                                                             2.2 AH-1%/C FROM 25° C.                                       BACK .175 AH                                                                            .175 AH-1%/C FROM 25° C.                           CE =                                                                               10° C. OR LESS                                                                        10° C.-25° C.                                                           25° C.-70° C.                                                              GREATER 70° C.                           MAIN  .198 AH-1.94%/C                                                                         .198 AH                                                                               .198 AH-1.6%/C                                                                          0                                               FROM 10° C.   FROM 25° C.                                        BACK .01575 AH-1.94%/C                                                                       .01575 AH                                                                             .01575 AH-1.6%/C                                                                         0                                               FROM 10° C.   FROM 25° C.                                    DC =  10° C. OR LESS                                                                           10° C.- 70° C.                                                          GREATER 70° C.                                  MAIN 3.3% REDUCTION/C                                                                           100%   0%                                                     FROM 10° C.                                                             BACK 3.3% REDUCTION/C                                                                           100%   0%                                                     FROM 10° C.                                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE E.sup.1                                __________________________________________________________________________     POWER REMOVED                                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     BASE INTERNAL LOADING                                                          CLOCK                                                                               CMOS *(1)   DRAM *(1)   OPERATIONAL                                       SPEED                                                                               32K                                                                               64K                                                                               128K                                                                              256K                                                                              64K                                                                               128K                                                                              256K                                                                              512K                                                                              MODE                                              __________________________________________________________________________     1/1  75 91 10 130                                                                               147                                                                               209                                                                               184                                                                               252                                                                               DRAM OR CMOS RUN                                  1/2  65 80 95 114                                                                               121                                                                               167                                                                               134                                                                               188                                                                               "                                                 1/4  59 75 87 107                                                                               106                                                                               142                                                                               113                                                                               153                                                                               "                                                 1/8  56 72 82 103                                                                                98                                                                               130                                                                               102                                                                               135                                                                               "                                                 1/16 56 71 82 102                                                                                94                                                                               124                                                                               96 126                                                                               "                                                 1/32 55 70 81 100                                                                                92                                                                               120                                                                               94 121                                                                               DRAM STAND BY *(2)                                1/64 55 70 81 100            CMOS STAND BY                                     1/128                                                                               54 69 79  99            CMOS STAND BY                                     STOP 5V                                                                             20 25 30  35            CMOS POWER DOWN *(3)                              STOP 2V                                                                              1/4                                                                               1/4                                                                              1/4                                                                                1/4           CMOS POWER DOWN *(4)                              __________________________________________________________________________     *(1)                                                                              ALL RATES IN MAH/HOUR                                                       *(2)                                                                              MINIMUM VALUE DEPENDENT ON TEMPERATURE SEE "STAND BY RUN SPEED                 REQUIREMENTS VS.                                                               TEMPERATURE"                                                                *(3)                                                                              LCD DISPLAY IS ON                                                           *(4)                                                                              DISPLAY OFF BAR ANNUCIATOR IS ON                                            MINIMUM DRAM STAND BY CLOCK SPEED VS. TEMPERATURE                              TEMPERATURE       MINIMUM CLOCK SPEED                                          __________________________________________________________________________     39 C. OR LESS     1/4      MALFUNCTION                                         40 C.-45 C.       1/32                                                         46 C.-55 C.       1/16                                                         56 C.-65 C.       1/8                                                          66 C.-99 C.       1/4                                                          100 C. OR GREATER 1/4      MALFUNCTION                                         __________________________________________________________________________     INTERNAL LOADING                                                               INTERNAL PIA - THIS MUST BE ENABLED BY THE POWER CONTROL PORT                  EACH TIME A TRANSMISSION IS TO TAKE PLACE THROUGH THE TERMINALS                15 PIN EIA INTERFACE CONNECTOR. THE INSTALLATION OF THIS                       HARDWARE IS IDENTIFIED BY INPUT PORT ECN 1 CONNECTED TO LOW.                   BACK LIGHT -                                                                   FUNCTION              LOADING PER EVENT (MAH)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     (1)    INTERNAL PIA   18.0/HOUR                                                (2)    BACK LIGHT     25.0/HOUR                                                (3)    BUZZER         15.0/HOUR (100 MAH TIMES 15%)                            (4)                   ./                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     EXTERNAL LOADING                                                               DEVICE                 LOADING PER EVENT (MAH)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     (1)   MARS PRINTER     0.258/LINE                                              (2)   20/20            1.0/READ                                                (3)   ACOUSTIC COUPLER 60.0/HOUR                                               (4)   CCD              .75/READ                                                (5)   WAND             100./HOUR                                               (6)   PIA              18./HOUR                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Fuel Gauge--The value to be displayed is remaining capacity (RE) which is known at all times by the system and shown either in ampere-hours or in percent capacity.

Run Time Remaining--Implementation of this feature during portable operation is based on both calculated remaining capacity and the rate of decrease in battery voltage to determine expected run time. If the rate of decrease in battery voltage is declining, then calculated remaining capacity (RC) is used to determine expected run time. If the rate of decrease in voltage is increasing or constant, then the system uses the calculated (RC) value or the measured rate to estimate the time from resent battery voltage down to 4.7 volts, whichever is less.

The following tables F1 and F2 summarize the procedure in calculating run time.

                  TABLE F1                                                         ______________________________________                                         CALCULATING RUN TIME                                                           ______________________________________                                         FROM REMAINING CAPACITY (RE)                                                   REMAINING RUN TIME =                                                            ##STR16##                                                                     ______________________________________                                          (The estimated run time is calculated from remaining capacity and the          loading rate. The loading rate is available but is constantly changing an      must be averaged for this calculation. This averaging time period should       be kept in the range from one to ten minutes.)                           

                  TABLE F2                                                         ______________________________________                                         CALCULATING RUN TIME                                                           ______________________________________                                         FROM RATE OF BATTERY VOLTAGE DECREASE                                          REMAINING RUN TIME =                                                            ##STR17##                                                                     ______________________________________                                          (The run time is calculated from measured values of battery voltage and        the rate of voltage decrease. The rate of decrease is constantly changing      and must be averaged with a time period in the range from one to ten           minutes.)                                                                

DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 17

FIG. 17 illustrates the aspects of the overall system of a commercial implementation of FIG. 15 which pertain to the operation of the power control circuitry of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

Block 17-1 shows the commercial unit operating under battery power at the normal regulator output voltage (V+, FIG. 16B) of 4.65 volts.

Referring to processing operation 17-2, the CPU component 15-25 may be programmed to provide a waiting interval for example of one minute between successive executions of step 17-3.

Step 17-3 will be understood from the previous description of the signal line LP which is controlled by the output of operational amplfier U7B, FIG. 16B, of the power regulator circuit 16-6, and from the explanations concerning the analog to digital converter 15-11, FIGS. 15 and 16B. The status of signal LP depends on whether the regulator circuitry 16-6 is able to maintain a desired (setpoint) output voltage or whether this is not the case because of a low power condition of the input power source.

The pocessing sequence represented by step 17-4 is exemplified by the pseudo code listing found in Appendix A which follows this section.

According to decision block 17-5, the processing loops back to block 17-1 until processing operations requiring the CPU component 15-25 are complete. When the CPU is no longer required, control passes to step 17-6 to execute a "power down" operation.

In the "power down" procedure of step 17-6, the output LOW PWR from component 15-19 establishes operation of the power regulator circuit 16-6 with a setpoint voltage of 2.5 volts. A 4.19 megahertz crystal 15-31, FIG. 15, stops generating its signal, and the CPU component 15-25 also stops, to conserve battery power.

As represented by block 17-7 in FIG. 17, while the system is in power down mode, a check is made periodically to determine if any event occurs which requires CPU operation. So far as relevant to FIGS. 16A and 16B, step 17-7 involves monitoring the line LP from the low power detection circuit 16-7, FIG. 16B. If a low power battery condition develops (with respect to the supply voltage setpoint of 2.5 volts), this will be sensed by automatic regulator circuit 16-6 which in turn will cause switching of operational amplifier U7B to produce a low signal at line LP. Referring to block 17-7, the presence of the low signal corresponds to the condition LP equals logical zero and NMI equals logical zero so that control passes to block 17-8.

In block 17-8, the LOW PWR line shown at the center left of FIG. 16A is switched, turning off Q15 and switching the power regular to supply the normal output voltage of 4.65 volts. Since the power regulator 16-6 at the normal setpoint will be expected to again produce the LP signal, the CPU component 15-25 will determine the presence of the condition in due course and alert the user as previously described.

Block 17-7 may also represent a response to other conditions such as user actuation of a key of the keyboard 15-16, but such procedures have not been detailed in FIG. 17 since they are not relevant to the signals supplied to and from the power control circuitry 15-10 (as will be understood from the overall system illustration shown in FIG. 15).

It will be apparent that the power down of CPU component 15-25 may be omitted, in which case the CPU may respond to its own clock and check the condition of line LP at suitable intervals during a low power mode that only affects other components. In this case the lines LP and LOW PWR would extend directly from power control 15-10 to suitable input and output ports of the CPU component 15-25, so that operation of the power control circuitry would be entirely independent of gate array 15-19.

APPENDIX A

(Notes on Programming for FIGS. 15, 16A, 16B and 17)

The present section comprises an edited copy of notes on the system programming for the commercial unit of FIGS. 15, 16A, 16B and 17. In this secation "121" refers to a model 121 commercial unit generally as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 herein, while "121XL/141" refers to models according to FIGS. 14, 16A, 16B and 17. The programming monitors for these latter models are designated IPMQNAZ and IMQNAP. (The programming monitor for the model 121 of FIGS. 12-14 is designated IPMONAP.)

APPENDIX A NOTES FOR VERSION 1.1 OF IPMQNAZ AND IPMQNAP BATTERY MAINTENANCE

The PSUEDO code below is representative of the system capsule code executed every five seconds during idle periods. This code determines the condition of the batteries and charger. It reports the condition with the beeper, LCD low batt and recharging `flags`.

There are three timers being incremented or decremented by a clock interrupt routine to support this routine. The interrupt (routine is also responsible for determining the charger duty cycles. (Note: the clock interrupt routine calls the routine described here to update the battery status no less than once a minute). The charger duty cycle is reduced by 3.3% for every degree centigrade below 10C., and reduced to 0% when the battery temperature >70C.

Lock up timer: Counts down once every minute until zero is reached. Main battery timer: Counts down for the number of seconds on charge until zero is reached. Counts up for every second of battery drain until eleven hours is reached.

Backup battery timer: Counts down for the number of seconds on charge until zero is reached. Counts up for every second of battery drain until eleven hours is reached.

    __________________________________________________________________________     BEGIN PSUEDO CODE FOR BATTERY MAINTENANCE                                      REPEAT                                                                          LOW BATT FLAG (IN DISPLAY) = OFF                                               DESELECT BOTH BATTERIES                                                        IF NEITHER SELECTED CAUSES LOW POWER INTERRUPT THEN (NO CHARGER)                RECHARGING FLAG = OFF                                                          SELECT MAIN BATTERY                                                            DISCHARGE BOTH BATTERIES = OFF                                                ELSEIF CHARGER < 20 V THEN (GOOD CHARGER)                                       RECHARGING FLAG = ON                                                           FOR EACH BATTERY DO                                                             IF BATTERY TIME <> 0 THEN (NOT FULLY CHARGED)                                   LOW BATT FLAG = ON                                                             IF TEMPERATURE BASED DUTY CYCLE ALLOWS CHARGER                                 TO BE ON AND                                                                    NOT BATTERY DISCHARGE AND                                                      BATTERY < 6.2 VOLTS THEN                                                        BATTERY CHARGE = ON                                                          ENDIF                                                                         ENDIF                                                                         ENDFOR                                                                        ENDIF                                                                          FOR EACH BATTERY DO                                                             IF TEMP < -20 DEG C OR                                                          TEMP > 70 DEG C OR                                                             (BATTERY < 3.7 VOLTS AND BATTERY DISCHARGE) OR                                 (BATTERY < 4.7 VOLTS AND BATTERY CHARGE) OR                                    (BATTERY > 7.0 VOLTS) OR                                                       CAN'T PREVENT LOW BATTERY INTERRUPT WHILE BATTERY                              SELECTED THEN                                                                   BATTERY DISCHARGE = OFF                                                        BACKLIGHT = OFF                                                                LOW BATT FLAG = ON                                                             BEEP                                                                           RESET BATTERY TIMER TO 11 HOURS                                                IF OFF CHARGE THEN SELECT OTHER BATTERY                                      ENDIF                                                                         ENDFOR                                                                         IF BOTH BATTERIES ARE GOOD OR ON A CHARGER THEN                                 LOCKUP TIMER = 10 MINUTES                                                     ENDIF                                                                          IF LOCKUP TIMER = 0 OR BOTH BATTERIES ARE BAD THEN DELAY 5 SECONDS            UNTIL LOCK UP TIMER <> 0 OR ONE BATTERY IS GOOD                                __________________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONS TO IPMQNAP PROMPT SEQUENCE

After the version number display, IPMQNAP will attempt to auto-chain to an application (as does the 121 version IPMONAP).

If the chain fails, the `SET TIME?` sequence will begin followed by the `RUN PROGRAM?` sequence.

The ability to download programs and/or data files has been added at the end of the loop that inquires which program the user wishes to run.

Following the Telecom function, the updated battery subroutine will be executed. It causes the batteries to be discharged and recharged which will extend their life and run-time.

121XL/141 SYSTEM STATUS SUBROUTINE

The purpose of this subroutine is to provide the user with information regarding system operation. The function will be entered optionally from any prompt where the standard input routine (IPMQGIP, ALIAS "INPUT") is used. The SRCH/FIND key has been selected as the key to cause input to call this routine. If the SRCH/FIND key is allowed by the application, it will perform normally. If it is not allowed by the application, it will initiate the system status function. The subroutine takes no parameters, and may be called from within any application.

All prompts within the subsroutine will accept either an enter key to continue, or a skip key to return to the application.

Language customization may be achieved by making a copy of the standard module, changing the prompts, and linking the new module directly to the application with a private copy of input. (However, the English language version will continue to execute at power up and when the monitor `IPMQNAP` is in control.)

DATE AND TIME DISPLAY

Since a user will be likely to use this function to display the date and time, these have been placed first. They will not be continuously updated as this prevents the unit from powering down to save power, The prompt also will not allow updating of these fields as this way lead to cheating on time stamping during application execution. The month will be displayed as an abbreviation to avoid problems with numeric presentation formats (YY/MM/DD, MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY, . . . ).

<DATE Jan. 10, 1985>

<TIME 09:00:00 AM>

Specific information about the batteries is displayed on the next two screens. The current voltage and state are displayed on the first line. The amount of charge time required for a full charge is on the second line.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SCREEN 1                                                                       <MAIN 5.2 V STATUS>                                                            <10:32 TO MAX CHG>                                                             Where status is based upon                                                     BATTERIES       TIMER                                                                               VOLTS                                                                               VOLTS                                                SELECTED                                                                               DISCHARGE                                                                              = 0  >6.2 <4.7 STATUS                                                                               MEANING                                   __________________________________________________________________________     BACKUP  ?       ?    ?    ?    LOW   TOO LOW TO USE, NO CHARGER                MAIN ONLY                                                                              ?       ?    ?    ?    ON    IN USE                                    NEITHER YES     ?    ?    ?    DISCHG                                                                               CYCLING BATTERIES                         NEITHER NO      YES  ?    ?    READY NOT IN USE, FULL CHARGE                   NEITHER NO      NO   YES  ?    HIGH  USABLE, TOO HIGH TO CHARGE                NEITHER NO      NO   NO   YES  LOWCHG                                                                               TOO LOW TO USE, CHARGING                  NEITHER NO      NO   NO   NO   CHARGE                                                                               USABLE, CHARGING                          __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________     SCREEN 2                                                                       <BACK 5.2 V STATUS                                                             <10:32 TO MAX CHG>                                                             WHERE STATUS IS BASED UPON                                                     BATTERIES       TIMER                                                                               VOLTS                                                                               VOLTS                                                SELECTED                                                                               DISCHARGE                                                                              = 0  >6.2 <4.7 STATUS                                                                               MEANING                                   __________________________________________________________________________     BOTH    ?       ?    ?    ?    LOW   TOO LOW TO USE, NO CHARGER                BACK ONLY                                                                              ?       ?    ?    ?    ON    IN USE                                    MAIN ONLY                                                                              ?       ?    ?    ?    READY NOT IN USE, NO CHARGER                    NEITHER YES     ?    ?    ?    DISCHG                                                                               CYCLING BATTERIES                         NEITHER NO      YES  ?    ?    READY NOT IN USE, FULL CHARGE                   NEITHER NO      NO   YES  ?    HIGH  USABLE, TOO HIGH TO CHARGE                NEITHER NO      NO   NO   YES  LOWCHG                                                                               TOO LOW TO USE, CHARGING                  NEITHER NO      NO   NO   NO   CHARGE                                                                               USABLE, CHARGING                          __________________________________________________________________________

The status of the charge is given in the next screen. The status and voltage of the charger are displayed on the first line. The temperature and charge duty cycle is on the second line. The duty cycle is governed by the temperature. When it gets too hot or cold, the duty cycle will drop from 100%. If a duty cycle of 0% is indicated, no charging of the batteries will take place.

<STA CHARGER 15V>

<20C is DTY% OK>

WHERE STA IS DEFINED AS:

OFF IF VOLTAGE <10

BAD IF VOLTAGE >20

ON OTHERWISE

Where DTY% is the allowable charger duty cycle and is a function of the temperature. The function is supplied by electrical engineering and implemented in the system capsule.

    __________________________________________________________________________     (1)                                                                              NO ERRORS DETECTED.   <NO MEMORY ERRORS>                                     (2)                                                                              CORRECTABLE MEMORY ERRORS.                                                                           <123 MEMORY ERRS>                                        MAXIMUM COUNT DISPLAYED IF                                                                           <(MAXIMUM COUNT)>                                        255 CORRECTABLE ERRORS                                                                               <LAST ADDR:102343>                                       DETECTED. (TWO SCREENS)                                                                              <CORRECTED>                                            (3)                                                                              UNCORRECTABLE MEMORY ERRORS.                                                                         <123 MEMORY ERRS>                                        (TWO SCREENS)         <REPAIR THIS UNIT>                                                             <LAST ADDR:102343>                                                             <UNCORRECTABLE>                                        __________________________________________________________________________

BATTERY CONDITIONING ROUTINE

This subroutine has been based upon PSBAT1P written for the 121. It must however condition the two batteries separately. This causes the information presented on the screen to be in a different format. The subroutine is called by IPMQNAP upon powerup and may called by an application (no parameters).

The first prompt asks user if he wishes to perform the battery routines.

<BATTERY TEST? >

The skip key will cause the subroutine to return without taking any further action. The enter key will bring the user to the next prompt to ask if capacity is to be measured.

<CAPACITY TEST?>

A skip at this prompt will cause the subroutine to begin with the battery discharge phase for both batteries. If enter is pressed instead, the subroutine will begin with a precharge phase so that the capacity of the completely charged batteries is measured.

Information about both batteries will be placed upon the screen during this phase. The keyboard is disabled at this point to prevent interruption of this critical section of code.

<MN STA 5.2V TIM> MAIN BATTERY STATUS

<BK STA 5.2V TIM> BACKUP BATTERY STATUS

Where STA is updated separately for each battery and represents

PRE=precharging battery before the discharge phase DIS=discharging the battery RCH=Recharging the battery after the discharge phase

Where TIM represents the battery capacity timer kept in minutes by the system capsule. It will count down as the battery obtains capacity, and count up as the battery is being drained. If the unit is removed from the charger during this phase, it will complain for approximately 30 seconds, then abort the test.

<CHARGER > Accompanied by periodic beeping until charger or 30 seconds.

<FUNCTION ABORTED> If no charger after 30 seconds <NO CHARGER> Enter key here will exit subroutine

As each battery completes it's discharge, the status line for it will be replaced with a final message. If a capacity test was being performed, the battery capacity timer will be displayed. Otherwise, a message indicating completion will appear. When a final message appears for both batteries, an enter key will return the user to the battery test prompt. (Note: Complete recharging of the batteries has not taken place. Only enough charge to bring the batteries above 4.7 volts has occured. The user should not remove the charger until the low batt flag on the display has been extinguished.)

<MN CAPACITY 621> If capacity test performed

<BK CAPACITY 621>

<MN COMPLETE > If capacity test not performed <BK COMPLETE >

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 18A AND 18B

FIGS. 18A and 18B show the regulator linear control output signal 18-10 supplied by component U7A, FIG. 16B, as it varies for the case where there is no secondary supply and the main supply is gradually decaying, with the divisions between vertical lines representing a time interval of 0.41 millisecond in FIG. 18A and representing a time interval of 4.1 milliseconds in FIG. 18B. The logical output signal from comparator U7B is shown as switching from a logical high potential condition at 18-12A to a logical low potential condition at 18-12B as waveform 18-10 approaches a saturation level at 18-10A.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the regulator output voltage 18-10 may increase from a value of about 1.5 volts to a value of about 2.5 volts as the regulator input voltage at the emitter of Q22 falls by about two percent from its normal range of 4.61 volts plus or minus 0.070 volt. Thus the regulator output voltage increases by more than fifty percent above its normal operating range (e.g. 0.3 to 1.5 volts) as the supply voltage falls by about two percent. Where the regulator output voltage 18-10 has a normal operating range with a midpoint value of about 0.9 volt, the comparator U7B, FIG. 16B, can be triggered when the regulator output voltage is three hundred percent of such midpoint value, e.g., 2.7 volts, and still provide timely warning of a low power condition (e.g., 2.5 milliseconds before operating voltage V+falls below 4.25 volts).

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 19

In a further embodiment (known as the Model NT141XL) the circuitry may be similar to that of FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B, but the logical output signal at 19-10, FIG. 19, at the output of 19-U7B is used to generate a non-maskable interrupt signal (NMI) at line 19-12 leading to the NMI input of the microprocessor (e.g. type NSC-800-V-4).

By way of example, the output control signal of linear regulator component 19-U7A may have a normal range of between 0.4 volt and 1.3 volts, with a midrange value of about 0.85 volt. If the output from 19-U7A is greater than 2.7 volts, comparator 19-U7B will shift to a logical low condition, causing line 19-12 to also have a low logical potential. Under this condition, 19-Q19 and 19-Q20 become nonconducting to isolate the main and backup deselect lines 19-14, 19-16 from the PIA component (e.g. type MC146823Z).

In the specific example of FIG. 19, comparator 19-U7B switches to provide a low logical output when the input power to the regulator 19-20 is insufficient to provide a regulated V+ at output 19-22 of 4.65 volts plus or minus 0.070 volt, (corresponding to a voltage level of less than 4.61 volts plus or minus 0.070 volt at the emitters of transistors such as 19-Q21). When the input power to the regulator is insufficient to maintain V+ in the normal range, 19-U7A, unable to maintain regulation, provides a rising control output which exceeds 2.7 volts and approaches a saturation value of about 3.7 volts. The comparator 19-U7B then switches, causing NMI to become true, whereupon the microprocessor automatically branches to restart address 66 (hexadecimal) in its memory and initiates a data preservation routine to transfer data to nonvolatile memory. This is completed within 2.5 milliseconds of the true condition of NMI. The saving of data to memory is completed before supply voltage V+ drops out of the operating range. The minimum operating voltage range within which data can be writted to memory is from 4.5 volts to 4.25 volts, and memory is locked out to assure proper system operation during the saving process. Data can be written to memory for from three to six milliseconds after the NMI signal becomes true. The V+ line, in the absence of input power, falls at a rate of 32 to 117 volts per second, so that the signal from 19-V7B occurs soon enough to enable operating system status to be saved.

It will be apparent that the regulator output control signal can have a substantial normal control range, e.g. a linear control range comprising maximum and minimum values with a ratio of more than two to one, and that the ouput signal can approach either a saturated value or a zero value (unsaturated value) which is substantially beyond the normal control range in response to a low power condition in a sensitive manner so as to provide a sufficiently early warning of input power failure.

When the supply falls below the minimum operating range of 4.5 to 4.25 volts, the memory is locked out and non-accessible. After twenty to forty milliseconds from the occurrence of the NMI signal, the microprocessor is reset. Memory is maintained with separate backup power.

When adequate operating power is reapplied in FIG. 19, the output of 19-U7B will go high, and memory is released automatically, e.g., by DS1212 chips on a CMOS RAM board which chips monitor supply voltage from an on-board regulator (e.g., type ICL7663). Accordingly application and operating status can be restored, and system execution can begin where it let off prior to the detection of low power.

During the time when the supply is less than 4.25 volts, and memory is locked out and non-accessible, and the microprocessor is in reset condition, the secondary battery (e.g., two non-rechargeable series-connected 2/3 A size lithium cells) provides power while the main battery is removed or too low to operate from. Power is taken from the back-up battery only when it is needed, through a voltage regulator (e.g., ICL7663A) on the CPU board, and is regulated down to 4.65 volts (e.g., from normal 6.5 volt back-up battery output). This regulated back-up voltage is supplied to the CMOS RAM and to the 19-U7A, 19-U7B regulator component. With the power switch off, back-up power is transmitted via a field effect transistor controlled by the power switch, to line 19-26, shown at the left side of FIG. 19.

The RAM board voltage regulator is a low power, low dropout regulator to step down a diode OR'ed voltage from the main batteries (MBATS) or from the back-up batteries (BBATS). Battery voltage input to this regulator (e.g., type ICL7663) is normally at about five volts and can be as high as 7.5 volts. Input voltage is regulated down to the 2.5 volts and connects to the battery inputs (e.g., VBAT1 and VBAT2 of DS1212 components and/or DS-1210 components which can receive a maximum voltage of four volts). The data in nonvolatile memory may be retained down to a battery voltage for example of about 2.5 volts from either the main or back-up battery.

An LM-335 sensor on the main battery pack for monitoring battery temperature may have a 1.5 microfarad capacitor across the sensor to filter out noise. This capacitor is also a part of an RC time constant circuit whose time constant is read by the A/D converter (e.g., type MC 146823Z) to determine whether a NICAD or alkaline battery pack is in use on the unit. The alkaline main battery pack may have two sets of 1.5 volt AA cells connected in series to provide about seven volts. This alkaline pack may have the same LM-335 sensor, but a shunt capacitor value of 4.7 microfarads to filter out noise and as part of a time constant circuit which is read by the A/D converter on the CPU board to determine whether a NICAD or alkaline battery pack is in use.

While several preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the disclosed invention in its broader aspects; and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the contributions to the art made hereby. 

I claim as my invention:
 1. In a system including power supply means for supplying a power supply voltage,automatic voltage regulator means having input means coupled with said power supply means and automatically operable for supplying a regulated output power, said automatic voltage regulator means producing a regulator signal which progressively changes as a function of a power supply voltage and approaches a limit range as power supply voltage is reduced below a given minimum value, and signalling means coupled with said automatic voltage regulator means for supplying a low power signal to an external circuit when the regulator signal approaches said limit range.
 2. A system according to claim 1, with said automatic voltage regulator means supplying the regulator signal in the form of a control signal for controlling output power from said regulator means, such control signal having a normal control range corresponding to normal output power being supplied from said regulator means, and having a saturation value which is approached when power supply voltage falls below the given minimum value.
 3. A system according to claim 2, with said signalling means comprising logic means for supplying a first discrete logic signal level when the control signal is within said normal control range and for supplying a second discrete logic signal level distinct from said first logic signal level when the control signal approaches said saturation value.
 4. A system according to claim 1, with an integrated circuit having a first operational amplifier means forming part of said automatic voltage regulator means, and a second operational amplifier means forming part of said signalling means and having an input means coupled with an output of said first operational amplifier means.
 5. A system according to claim 1, with volatile memory means having a minimum operating voltage below said given minimum value of power supply voltage such that said low power signal gives a reliable advance warning in sufficient time to enable transfer of data to a nonvolatile storage.
 6. In a system including a plurality of power supply means for supplying respective power supply voltages,a plurality of individual current supply paths having respective current regulator means therein, and a common control means having output means coupled to each of said current regulator means and supplying a common control signal which has a normal range so long as one of the power supply voltages is above a given minimum value and which approaches a saturation value when the respective power supply voltages are below their respective minimum values, for signalling a low power condition.
 7. A system according to claim 6, with switch means controlling the respective current supply paths and operative for selectively switching the respecting current supply paths to a restricted current flow condition independently of the common control means.
 8. A system according to claim 6, with said common control means comprising operational amplifier means supplying a common control voltage having a normal limit voltage, and supplying a saturation voltage value when the respective power supply voltages are below their respective minimum values, which voltage value is displaced from the normal range by a voltage differential at least approximately corresponding to the voltage differential between maximum and minimum values of the said range.
 9. A system according to claim 8, with said operational amplifier means supplying a common control voltage having a normal range including a given normal limit voltage, and supplying a saturation voltage value when the respective power supply voltages are below their respective minimum values, which saturation voltage value has a ratio relative to the normal limit voltage of at least about two to one.
 10. A system according to claim 6, with switch means controlling activation of the respective current supply paths, and responsive to the common control signal approaching said saturation value to automatically activate all of the current supply paths.
 11. The method of obtaining an early warning of a low power condition in a system wherein supply voltage is regulated by means of a voltage regulator which supplies a varying control output signal as input power is reduced within a normal operating range and which control output signal approaches a saturation condition as input power falls below its normal operating range, said method comprising monitoring said control output signal and sensing approach thereof to said saturation condition as an early warning of low power condition.
 12. A method according to claim 11, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls about two percent from its normal operating range.
 13. A method according to claim 11, with said control output signal varying by at least fifty percent as the supply voltage falls about two percent from its normal operating range, said method comprising sensing a change in the control output signal from a midrange value, of at least one hundred percent of such midrange value as an early warning of low power condition.
 14. A method according to claim 11, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls about two percent from its normal operating range, said method comprising sensing a change in the control output signal from a midrange value, of a least about three hundred percent as an early warning of low power condition.
 15. A method according to claim 11, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls about two percent below its normal operating range, and utilizing the sensing of said approach to saturation condition to initiate a memory protection routine.
 16. The method of obtaining an early warning of a low power condition in a system, said method comprising regulating a supply voltage by means of a voltage regulator, supplying from the voltage regulator a varying control output signal for automatically maintaining said supply voltage substantially at a selected value as input power is reduced within a normal operating range, said control output signal approaching a limit condition as input power falls below its normal operating range, and said method further comprising monitoring said control output signal and sensing approach thereof to said limit condition as an early warning of low power condition.
 17. A method according to claim 16, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls a small percent from its selected value.
 18. A method according to claim 16, with said control output signal varying by at least fifty percent as the supply voltage falls a small percent from its selected value, said method comprising sensing a change in the control output signal from a midrange value, of at least one hundred percent of such midrange value as an early warning of low power condition.
 19. A method according to claim 16, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls a small percent from its selected value, said method comprising sensing a change in the control output signal from a midrange value, of at least about three hundred percent as an early warning of lower power condition.
 20. A method according to claim 16, with said control output signal varying by at least about fifty percent as the supply voltage falls a small percent below its selected value, and utilizing the sensing of said approach to limit condition to initiate a memory protection routine. 